The Jesuit relations and allied documents : travels and explorations of the Jesuit missionaries in New France, 1610-1791 Volume 59

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5(7

THE JESUIT RELATIONS

AND

ALLIED DOCUMENTS

VOL. LIX

The edition consists of sev
en hundred and fifty sets
all numbered

JACQUES MARQUETTE, SJ.

[From photograph of statue by Sig. Gaetano Trentanove ^of Florence, Italy),
which represents Wisconsin in Statuary Hall in the Capitol at Washington.]

The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents

TRAVELS AND EXPLORATIONS

OF THE JESUIT MISSIONARIES

IN NEW FRANCE

1610-1791

THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITAL
IAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH TRANSLA
TIONS AND NOTES ; ILLUSTRATED BY
PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND FACSIMILES

EDITED BY

REUBEN GOLD THWAITES
Secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin

Vol. LIX

LOWER CANADA, ILLINOIS, OTTAWAS
1673-

CLEVELAND. Cbe3Burrow03Bcotber0
Company, PUBLISHERS, M DCCCC

COPYRIGHT, 1900

BY
THE BURROWS BROTHERS Co

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Imperial Press, Cleveland

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor

Translators .

Assistant Editor
Bibliographical Adviser

REUBEN GOLD THWAITES
FINLOW ALEXANDER
PERCY FAVOR BICKNELL
CRAWFORD LINDSAY
I WILLIAM PRICE
EMMA HELEN BLAIR
VICTOR HUGO PALTSITS

CONTENTS OF VOL LIX

PREFACE TO VOLUME LIX
DOCUMENTS:
CXXXIII.

ii

CXXXIV.

cxxxv.

CXXXVI.

CXXXVII.

Relation de ce qui s est passe"
.... en la Nouvelle-France,
pendant les annees 1673 et 74.
[Letters from the following mis
sionaries, edited or synopsized
by Claude Dablon:] Claude
Jean Allouez, Louis Andre", Pierre
Millet, Jean de Lamberville,Julien
Gamier, Pierre Raffeix, Franqois
de Cre pieul, and Louis Nicolas;
n.p., n.d. [Second and final in
stallment.]

Memoire pour un Millionaire qui
ira aux 7 isles. Louis Nicolas;
[La Prairie, 1673]

Lettre au R. P. Pinette. Claude
Dablon; Qu6bec, October 24,
1674

Le premier Voyage qu a fait Le
P. Marquette vers le nouueau
Mexique & Comment s en est
form6 le defsein. Jacques Mar
quette; [Baye des Puants, 1674]

Journal incomplet, adresse au R.
P. Claude Dablon, supe"rieur des

64

86

CXXXVIIL

CXXXIX,

Missions. Jacques Marquette;
n.p., [1675] . 164

Recit du second voyage et de la
mort du P. Jacques Marquette.
Claude Dablon; [Quebec, 1677] 184

Etat present des Missions des
peres de la Compagnie de Jsus
en la Nouvelle-France, pendant
1 ann^e 1675. Claude Dablon,
[Quebec, 1675.] [First install
ment.] . . . .213
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOLUME LIX . 293
NOTES . . . -305

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. LIX

I. Statue of Jacques Marquette, S.J., by Sig.
Gaetano Trentanove, now in the Capitol
at Washington . . . Frontispiece

II. Facsimile, in colors, of Joliet s MS. map

of 1674 .... Facing 86

III. Photographic facsimile of Marquette s MS.

map, accompanying his Journal, from
the original in St. Mary s College
archives, Montreal . . Facing 108

IV. Photographic facsimile of map published

by Thevenot, in 1681, purporting to be
made by Marquette . . Facing \ 54

V. Photographic facsimiles of the seven pages
of Marquette s Journal, from the original
MS. in St. Mary s College archives,
Montreal . . . Facing 212

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

Following is a synopsis of the documents contained
in this volume :

CX XXIII. The greater part of the Relation of
1 673 -74 appeared in Vol. LVIII.; the remainder is
herewith presented. This comprises only the report
on the two Montagnais missions, at Tadoussac and
the Seven Islands. The former of these is given in
Crepieul s journal of his winter spent with the sav
ages (October 4, 1673, to May 24, 1674) at Lake St.
John. Departing from Quebec, he spends a week at
the Jeremie islets, with a small band of Papinachois
encamped there. At Chicoutimi, he finds two hun
dred Indians awaiting him, to whom he ministers dur
ing ten days. On November 2 , he departs with one of
their bands, to accompany them in their winter wan
derings. During the entire cold season, they rove
about the neighborhood of Lake St. John, wherever a
prospect of food attracts them ; and their wretched
existence is shared by the brave missionary, who,
with undaunted zeal and devotion, instructs them
and celebrates the rites of the Church, whenever
time or place permits these pious services. About
the middle of January, he is so fortunate as to obtain
news of Father Albanel, whom he visits, finding the
latter temporarily disabled by an accident. In Feb
ruary, the savages in the Lake St. John region are
overcome with terror by an Iroquois raid. They

12 PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

hastily abandon their cabins, and gather in a rude
fort for their defense. Ascertaining, however, that
the enemy has gone in another direction, Cre"pieul
goes to visit the Mistassinis, living near the lake of
that name ; with them he remains six or seven weeks,
and baptizes more than a hundred persons, including
two chiefs. On May 6, a part of the band embark
for Quebec, to implore Frontenac s aid against the
Iroquois; and Cre"pieul goes with them.

At the Seven Islands, far down the Labrador coast,
Father Nicolas has held a sort of flying mission among
the Oumamiois tribes of that region. He finds them
friendly, and well disposed toward the faith; but
his stay with them lasts only three days, for he and
the French traders are compelled by an epidemic of
scurvy to leave the islands. He promises, however,
to return next year, and instruct the savages more
fully.

CXXXIV. After his return to Quebec, Nicolas
prepares a " memorandum for a missionary who will
go to the Seven Islands. He informs his successor
how many Indians he will find there, and of what
tribes. He must understand the Montagnais lan
guage, in order to talk with these savages. Nicolas
mentions the scanty natural products of that desolate
region, and advises that the French should establish
fisheries there, which would be exceedingly profit
able to them, and would enable a missionary to labor
with the savages during the summer. He adds a list
of the Indians who had been baptized in that tribe.

CXXXV. This is a letter (dated October 24, 1674)
from Dablon to the French provincial, giving a sur
vey of the mission field at that time. Albanel, not
withstanding the obstacles that he has encountered

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX 13

on the way, and the danger of losing his life if he
goes on, has continued his journey to Hudson Bay,
where the English have already established them
selves. Marquette, since his discovery of the Mis
sissippi, has been preparing to labor among the Illi
nois. The other Fathers in the Ottawa missions
have, during the year, " baptized more than five
hundred infidels." In that region are now three
permanent residences those at De Pere, St. Ignace,
and Sault Ste. Marie.

In Acadia, Pierron has spent part of the past year.
During the winter, he travels in disguise through
the English colonies, where he finds naught but
desolation and abomination among the heretics, who
will not even baptize the children, and still less the
adults. He is able to baptize but few, on account
of their obstinacy ; he has, however, the happi
ness of preparing a heretic to make his abjuration."
At Boston, Pierron is suspected of being a Jesuit,
and is cited to appear before the General Court ; but
he evades the summons. In Maryland he finds a
few English Jesuits in disguise ; he desires to be sent
to assist them, and to establish a mission among the
Indians there; but Dablon considers this scheme,
for many reasons, impracticable.

The Iroquois missions are prosperous. The
Mohawks " are being converted in greater numbers
than ever ; but Bruyas s efforts are greatly hindered
by the Dutch heretics. The Senecas are least in
clined to embrace the faith; but the missionaries
among them " fail not to win many victories over
hell." Among the Montagnais, Crepieul is engaged
in tireless labors, both summer and winter. The
Iroquois colony at La Prairie, and that of the Hurons

14 PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

at Lorette, bring consolation to the missionaries,
on account of their devotion and saintly living. The
new church at Lorette, patterned after the Holy
House of Loreto in Italy, is becoming a favorite
resort for pilgrims from all parts of Canada. Dablon
again extols the zeal and self-renunciation of all the
apostles of the faith in New France.

CXXXVI. One of the most valuable and impor
tant documents in our series is the journal of Father
Marquette, describing the voyage in which he and
Joliet discovered and explored the Mississippi River.
It is prefaced with a brief note by Dablon, which
mentions Marquette s early desire to carry the gospel
to the Southern tribes, and his opportunity for doing
so when Joliet is chosen by Frontenac and Talon to
explore the then unknown water-routes beyond Lake
Michigan. Dablon also praises the fitness of Joliet
for this undertaking.

Marquette recounts the details of their voyage,
which begins May 17, 1673, at the St. Ignace mis
sion. They journey via Green Bay, visiting on the
way the Menomonee Indians, who endeavor to dis
suade them from their enterprise saying that there
are ferocious tribes on the great river, some of whom
are at war together, who will kill any stranger ; that
horrible monsters and demons will endanger their
lives, etc.

Passing through the bay, and ascending the Fox
River, they arrive at the Mascouten village June 7.
Marquette describes at length two remarkable plants,
the wild rice and snake-root. The Frenchmen at
once call the elders, and ask them for guides on their
way, which is readily granted. These savages con
duct them to the Fox- Wisconsin portage, whence

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX 15

the travelers make their way alone. On June 17,
they enter the Mississippi, with a Joy that I cannot
express." Marque tte gives a minute description of
the great river, the lands through which it passes.,
and the fauna of that region, most of which are
strange and curious to the Canadians. Among these
animals, he gives especial attention to the buffalo.

The voyagers proceed more than sixty leagues
without seeing any human being, until June 2 5 , when
they discover a beaten path from the river inland.
Marquette and Joliet follow this, and reach an Illinois
village, the people of which receive them most hos
pitably, and with elaborate ceremonies, which are
fully described. A chapter is devoted to an account
of their customs and usages. Marquette praises the
gentleness and docility of the Illinois savages. They
use guns, and carry on an extensive trade in slaves,
whom they capture from more remote tribes. They
raise abundant crops of Indian corn and other vege
tables. The calumet, or ceremonial pipe, and the
dance in honor of it, are fully described. One of
these pipes is given to Marquette and his party, as a
safeguard for their passage through the hostile
nations farther down the river.

After remaining several days with the friendly
Illinois savages, the explorers resume their voyage.
They find new and curious plants, and agreeable
fruits. Near Alton, Illinois, they see on the smooth
face of a bluff paintings of strange monsters, so
frightful in appearance that " the boldest savages
dare not Long rest their eyes " upon them. Shortly
after passing these grotesque figures, they narrowly
escape being wrecked in the swollen and turbid flood
poured forth at the mouth of the Missouri River.

16 PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

The reports which they have already heard from the
savages regarding this stream lead them to hope that,
by ascending it far enough, they may gain other
rivers which will furnish the long-sought passage to
the Western Sea. Near the mouth of the Ohio, they
find rich deposits of iron ore. They now begin to
experience the torment of mosquitoes.

Somewhat farther down, they encounter a band of
savages, who at first appear to be hostile; they
prove, however, to be as frightened as we were,
and soon become pacified. Again, at the mouth of
St. Francis River, they are in danger of losing their
lives, being attacked by the Mitchigameas, who
dwell there. In this emergency, they are saved by
displaying the calumet which the Illinois gave them.
On the next day they proceed to the mouth of the
Arkansas, where another tribe dwells. These sav
ages are friendly, and warn them that they cannot
go farther without great danger.

At this point, Marquette and Joliet take counsel
together as to their next proceeding. They are now
well satisfied that the great river, on which they have
voyaged more than a thousand miles, flows into
the Gulf of Mexico. If they advance, they are in
danger of imprisonment, and perhaps death, thus
risking the loss of all that they have gained from
their long and perilous journey. Accordingly, they
begin (July 1 7) their return voyage ; but this time
they ascend the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers, and
enter Lake Michigan by the Chicago River. They
stop on the way to visit a Kaskaskia band, who desire
Marquette to come again to instruct them ; also the
Peorias, where he baptizes a dying child, which
alone repays the missionary for his long and

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX 17

toilsome journey. At the close of September, they
reach the De Pere mission.

CXXXVII. This is Marquette s (unfinished)
journal of his second voyage to the Illinois tribes a
journey with pathetic ending, for he dies on the way,
while striving to reach Mackinac. Departing from
De Pere October 25, 1674, accompanied by two
Frenchmen, he enters the waters of Lake Michigan
via the portage at Sturgeon Bay. There they for
tunately meet a party of Illinois Indians, who desire
the Father to go under their escort. Now begins a
long and tedious voyage, so interrupted by storms and
severe cold that it is not until December 4 that the
party reach Chicago River. The Father is again ill,
on account of his privations and hardships, and finds
himself unable to proceed farther. Accordingly,
Marquette and his two Frenchmen spend the winter
at the portage, alone, except for occasional visits
from the savages. Early in January, a French trader
in that region hears of the Father s illness, and sends
him food by a surgeon who is with him. The Illi
nois savages, among whom he had intended to carry
on a mission, also bring him gifts, and beg him to
come and dwell with them.

In February, Marquette s health begins to im
prove, owing to his devotions to the Virgin. The
last week in March brings a south wind, and the
river opens; a sudden freshet nearly carries away
the Frenchmen and their goods. This gives them,
after various delays, an opportunity to resume their
journey ; but it is not until April 8 that they reach
the Illinois village. Marquette s journal ends upon
the 6th, while he and his men are awaiting favorable
weather to descend the Des Plaines River.

18 PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

CXXXVIII. In this document, Dablon briefly
relates this second voyage of Marquette, adding
details of his death, and of the removal (1677) of his
bones to Mackinac. After reaching the Illinois
village, the Father holds (three days before Easter)
a great council, where over 1,500 men are present,
besides the women and children. He explains to
them the mysteries of the faith, and celebrates mass ;
and on Easter Sunday holds similar services. The
savages listen with delight, and would gladly retain
him among them ; but his malady is so increasing
that he is compelled to depart. He sets out for
Mackinac, hoping to reach the mission-house there
in time to die within its walls ; but his strength fails
so rapidly that he is obliged to land near Ludington,
Michigan, where he dies on the same day (May 18,
1675). His faithful companions there inter his body,
which is removed two years later, by some of his
Ottawa disciples, to the St. Ignace mission at Macki
nac. There it is reinterred, with all the solemnity
possible ; and this tomb becomes a favorite resort for
the Christian savages. The document closes with
a brief summary of his virtues," prominent among
which are his zeal and meekness, and his devotion
to the Virgin.

CXXXIX. For the year 1675, Dablon sends to
his provincial an account of " the present condition
of the missions in New France." It begins with a
brief survey of the Ottawa mission, followed by the
account of Marquette s last voyage and death which
we present in Doc. CXXXVIII.

At Sault Ste. Marie, with its dependent missions
on the islands and northern shore of Lake Huron,
over one hundred and twenty persons have been

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX 19

baptized, notwithstanding all the opposition that the
devil raises up against the Gospel by various super
stitions " to oppose which the missionaries have
more than once risked their lives. At St. Ignace
(Marquette s post), the new chapel built last year
was, at its opening, " consecrated by sixty-six
baptisms," administered to Hurons and Algonkins
who have settled there. At De Pere, Andre has, by
mingled patience and firmness, conquered the minds,
" most ferocious and superstitious," of the savages
in that region. He has formed " a church of four or
five hundred Christians ; and has baptized a hundred
and forty persons during the past year. Among the
Central Wisconsin tribes, Allouez has baptized a
hundred and sixty. The Mascouten village has been
increased, by refugees from many tribes, to a popu
lation of 20,000 souls a parish too large for Allouez,
who is now aided by Silvy. Letters from the former
give some account of his work there. As usual, the
great obstacle in the way of the missionaries is the
blind adherence of the savages to their superstitions,
especially where dreams are concerned.

A short report is given from each of the Iroquois
missions. Bruyas, superior of all these, writes from
Agnie" that he has baptized eighty persons there.
His labors have received much aid from the conver
sion of Assendasse, a notable Mohawk chief, and
from a gift, made to the church of Agnie, of a
miraculous image, that of Our Lady of Foye. The
Oneidas, most cruel of all the Iroquois, " are now
so changed through Father Millet s care that it may
be said that from wolves they have become lambs."
Several prominent chiefs here also have been con
verted. At Onondaga, also, the church is flourish-

20 PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

ing. Lamberville has gained much influence among
the savages by his ability in using medicines for the
cure of sicknesses. Carheil has not been so fortunate
at Cayuga ; the arrogance of those savages is great,
and they insult and abuse him when, as often hap
pens, they become intoxicated. The Senecas also
are intolerably insolent since they defeated the An-
dastes ; they talk of going to war against the French ;
and the three missionaries who labor among them
are in almost continual danger of being murdered
by those barbarians."

As for the missions at the North, no word has
been received from Albanel since he set out, two
years ago, for Hudson Bay. Vague Indian reports
indicate that he has either been killed, or captured
by the English and sent back to Europe. Cre"pieul,
his health broken by continual exposure, has been
recalled to Quebec for rest, and Boucher takes his
place.

A noble record is made by the Iroquois colonists
at La Prairie ; although surrounded on all sides by
the most scandalous drunkenness," they are distin
guished among their neighbors as " those who do
not drink, and who pray to God aright." Their
virtue is illustrated by an account of the pious death
of a young man named Skandegorhaksen. Dablon
gives an interesting account of visits made to La
Prairie by Bishop Laval, and later, by the new in-
tendant, Duchesneau. These distinguished guests
are welcomed by the savages in their own fashion,
with every mark of honor. During the bishop s
visit, a rumor comes that a hunting-party of promi
nent men from La Prairie have been attacked and
slain by enemies. These good Christians nobly put

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX 21

aside their private griefs, that they may duly honor
the visit of the head of the Canadian church ; and
thus " the whole stratagem which the devil seemed
to have invented solely to disturb the minds of
the savages, and to prevent the good results of
Monseigneur s visit, served but to make the virtues
of our new Christians shine more brightly."

Duchesneau, the intendant, also visits the La
Prairie colony, accompanied by many officials and
prominent habitants. He lights the bonfire on St.
John s day, holds a general council with the savages,
and provides them with a bountiful feast.

R. G. T.

MADISON, Wis., November, 1899.

CXXXI1I (concluded)

RELATION OF 1673-74

The greater part of this document appeared in Volume
LVIII. ; its concluding section is herewith presented.

24 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 69

Missions des Montagnais ou Algonquins Inferi-
eurs pendant les annees 1673 et 1674.

CHAPITRE I.

DE LA MISSION DE TADOUSSAC.

LE P. Francis de Crepieul, qui a la charge de
cette Mission, temoigne recevoir ton jours beau-
coup de satisfaction de la conduite de ses
chre tiens. Les fatigues qu il a endurees en les
accompagnant dans les bois pendant tout rhiver ne
se peuvent concevoir que par ceux qui les ont eprou-
v6es. Apres tout, elles sont bien douces, lorsqu on
les souffre pour aller a la recherche de pauvres brebis
6garees, que le Fils de Dieu est venu chercher lui-
meme. Cette petite Eglise de Tadoussac a et
augmente e, cette anne"e, de plusieurs adultes et de
vingt-deux enfants, qui ont recu la grace du bap-
teme. Nous donnons ici le journal du voyage et des
travaux du P. de Crepieul chez les Papinachois, les
Mistassins, etc., tel qu il nous 1 a envoye".

JOURNAL DU P. DE CREPIEUL.

LE 23 septembre 1673, apres soixante-dix ou quatre-
vingts lieues faites en canot, et apres avoir
couru divers perils et essuy6 plusieurs f acheux temps
dans une saison assez incommode, couchant sur le
sable ou sur quelque rocher, j arrival k Quebec, d ou
quelques jours apres je m embarquai pour aller aux
Papinachois, de Ik a Chegoutimi, et ensuite au lac

1673-77] RELATION OF 1673-74 2->

Missions of the Montagnais or Lower Algonquins
during the years 1673 and 1674.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE TADOUSSAC MISSION.

FATHER Franois de Crepieul, who has charge
of this Mission, states that he continues to
derive much satisfaction from the conduct of
his Christians. The fatigues which he has endured
while accompanying them in the woods during the
whole winter can be imagined only by those who
have experienced them. After all, they are very
sweet when one suffers them in searching for poor
wandering sheep, whom the Son of God came
himself to seek. This small Church of Tadous-
sac was increased this year by several adults and
twenty-two children, who received the grace of bap
tism. We present here the journal of Father de
Cr6pieul s journey and labors among the Papinachois,
the Mistassins, and other tribes, as he has sent it
to us.

o

FATHER DE CRE>IEUL S JOURNAL.

N the 23rd of September, 1673, after journeying
seventy or eighty leagues in a canoe, and
having encountered various dangers and endured
much bad weather in a rather inclement season,
sleeping in the sand or on a rock, I reached Quebec.
Thence I set out, a few days afterward, to go to the

26 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Saint-Jean, ou je devais passer un troisieme hiver
avec une bande de Sauvages.

Des le jour du depart, le 4 octobre, je commengai
ma mission par le bapteme d un enfant Etchemin
age" de deux ans. Nous fumes ensuite surpris d un
vent impetueux qui nous mit en danger, et, rompant
un des cables de la barque, nous obligea de relacher.
Trois jours apres, un vent fort favorable nous poussa
bien avant dans notre route et nous fit aborder, au
bout de deux jours, aux ilets de Jeremie, oh je trou-
vai cinq cabanes de Papinachois qui nous attendaient
et que j instruisis pendant six ou sept jours.

Le 2 1 octobre, nous levames 1 ancre avec un vent
assez favorable et nous primes notre route vers le
Saguenay ; mais etant surpris de la nuit, et le vent
venant a se grossir, nous fumes en danger de nous
perdre, la barque etant extraordinairement agite"e
et se remplissant d eau. Ce fut meme une mer-
veille comment nous n e"chouames point; car le
vent nous avait pousse" avec tant de violence, quoique
nous n eussions point de voile, que vers minuit nous
nous trouvames pres de terre. Cette tempete dura
dix heures entieres, pendant lesquelles nous croy-
ions a chaque moment devoir faire naufrage ; mais
enfin Dieu nous rendit le calme et nous fit arriver a
Chegoutimi. J y trouvai deux cents Sauvages qui
m attendaient; je leur fis des instructions pendant
dix jours, confessant et communiant ceux que 1 age
rendait capables de ces sacrements. J enterrai aussi
le fils du chef de Tadoussac, qui montra en ses der-
niers moments une resignation vraiment chretienne.

Le dernier jour d octobre, je baptisai un enfant et
donnai Vextreme-onction a une moribonde tres-bien
disposee au grand voyage de I e ternite . Nous

1 673 - 77] RELA TION Of 1673 - 74 27

Papinachois, thence to Chegoutimi, and afterward
to lake St. John, where I was to pass a third winter
with a band of Savages.

On the day of my departure, the 4th of October, I
began my mission by baptizing an Etchemin child
two years old. We were afterward surprised by a
violent gale which endangered our lives, and, by
breaking one of the cables of our bark, compelled us
to put back. Three days afterward, a very favorable
wind carried us a long distance on our voyage, and
brought us at the end of two days to the Jere"mie
islets. 1 There I found five cabins of Papinachois,
who awaited us, and I instructed them for six or
seven days.

On the 2ist of October, we weighed anchor with a
very favorable wind, and sailed in the direction of
the Saguenay; but, being surprised by darkness,
and the wind rising, we were in danger of ship
wreck; for the bark was greatly tossed about, and
filled with water. It was even a marvel that we did
not run aground; for the wind impelled us so
violently, although we had no sail set, that about
midnight we were close to the land. This storm
lasted ten whole hours, during which we expected
to be wrecked at any moment. But at last God gave
us calm weather again, and enabled us to reach
Chegoutimi. 8 I found there two hundred Savages
waiting for me; I instructed them for ten days,
confessing and administering communion to those
who were old enough to receive those sacraments.
I also buried the son of the chief of Tadoussac, who
in his last moments displayed truly Christian resigna
tion.

On the last day of October, I baptized a child,

28 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5fr

passamesle lendemain, jour dela Toussaint, dans les
exercices de devotion que demandait une si grande
fete; presque tous les Fran9ais et les Sauvages se
confesserent et communierent. En outre, je donnai
le viatique a deux malades et le bapteme a un enfant.
Les chefs de Tadoussac et de Sillery firent de belles
harangues, en faveur de la Priere, k 1 occasion du
festin d adieu que leur offrirent les Frangais qui de-
vaient partir le lendemain. En effet, le 2 novembre r
apres avoir rendu nos devoirs aux ames du purga-
toire, la barque fit voile vers Quebec et me laissa
seul avec mes chers Sauvages, qui se disposerent a
aller hiverner chacun de leur cote". Sur le soir, je
partis accompagn6 de six canots de Sauvages, avec
lesquels j allai coucher vers le rapide de la grande
riviere qui descend du lac Saint-Jean et se rend dans
la belle riviere du Saguenay. Le lendemain, nous
fumes obliges de porter notre canot et tout ce que
nous avions avec nous pendant deux lieues, avec
beaucoup de fatigue, marchant tantot dans la boue
et tantot dans les neiges. Pendant que nous mar-
chions, je remarquai de funestes traces du grand
tremblement de terre de 1663; je fis aussi rencontre
de quatre families d Outabitibecs que j instruisis.
Au bout de notre chemin, je trouvai un gros rapide
et la belle riviere des Papinachois. Deux jours
apres, ces quatre families que nous avons rencontrees
se joignirent k nous, et, tous ensemble, nous entrames
dans le bois pour y chercher notre vie, et pour aller
au^devant d une grande quantite de Sauvages qui
devaient descendre, le printemps.

Apres avoir heureusement traverse" sept rapides,.
les glaces commencerent & nous boucher le pas
sage, ce qui nous obligea de nous arreter sur une

1673-77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74 29

and administered extreme unction to a dying woman,
who was very well prepared for the great journey of
eternity. We spent the following day, the feast of
All Saints, in the devotional exercises which so im
portant a feast required ; nearly all the French and
Savages confessed and received communion. More
over, I gave the viaticum to two sick persons, and
baptized a child. The chiefs of Tadoussac and Sil-
lery delivered eloquent harangues in favor of Prayer,
on the occasion of the farewell feast given them by
the French, who were to leave on the following day.
In fact, on the 2nd of November, after performing
our duties for the souls in purgatory, the bark set
sail for Quebec, and left me alone with my beloved
Savages, who prepared to go to their winter quarters,
each band to their own district. In the evening, I
started in company with six canoes of Savages, with
whom I spent the night near the rapid of the large
river that flows from lake St. John, and falls into
the noble Saguenay river. On the following day,
we were obliged to carry our canoe and all our effects
for two leagues, with much fatigue walking some
times in mud, and sometimes in snow. While we
were marching, I observed the disastrous effects of
the great earthquake of 1663.* I also met four fami
lies of Outabitibecs, whom I instructed. At the
end of our road I came upon a great rapid, and the
fine river of the Papinachois. 4 Two days afterward,
these four families whom we had met joined us ; and
all together we entered the woods, to seek our liveli
hood, and to meet a great number of Savages who
were to come down in the spring.

After successfully passing seven rapids, the ice
began to block our way, and this compelled us to

30 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

montagne. Nous construisimes deux cabanes, compo-
se"es de trente-quatre personnes, que j instruisais tous
les jours en attendant que les neiges fussent assez
e"paisses pour qu on put aller en raquettes. II faut
avouer que si la vie d un missionnaire est pe"nible,
elle est aussi remplie de bien des consolations. Ce
n en e"tait pas une peu sensible pour moi de voir tous
les jours mes instructions recherche"es, e coute es et
suivies avec une ferveur incroyable par les plus petits
comme par les plus grands. En souvenir de notre
passage, jeplantaiune croix dans cette vaste solitude.

Le 19 novembre, nous allames cabaner k une
grande lieue de la, en un endroit oii la chasse e"tait
bonne, mais oii le manque d eau car la neige fondue
n 6tanche presque pas la soif et oii la fume e, qui
e"tait fort incommode, nous donna grande matiere a
patience. Nous ne sortimes de ce lieu que le 6
de"cembre, parce que les premiers froids furent plus
tardifs qu k 1 ordinaire. Nous avons ce le bre la fete
de saint Frangois-Xavier et ensuite celle de rimma-
cule"e Conception avec toute la deVotion possible, nous
occupant, pendant ces jours et pendant leur octave,
chanter des cantiques spirituels en langue sauvage.
Ce fut vers ce u temps qu il arriva pres de nous un
assez grand tremblement de terre. J eus encore
occasion, pendant notre marche, d observer les
e"tranges ravages de 1 epouvantable tremblement de
terre qui eut lieu, il y a quelques anne"es, en ces
contrees sauvages. On y remarque aussi les traces
re"centes que de cruels incendies ont laisse es dans ces
vastes forets. Les Sauvages disent qu ils se sont
tendus jusqu k plus de deux cents lieues.

Le 15, je baptisai une petite fille qu on nomma
Marie.

J 673 - 77] R EL A TION OF 1673 - 74 31

stop upon a mountain. We built two cabins, to
contain thirty-four persons ; I instructed them daily,
while waiting until the snow was deep enough to
allow us to walk on snowshoes. It must be admitted
that, if a missionary s life be a painful one it is also
full of many consolations. It was no small pleasure
to me to see, every day, my instructions sought after,
listened to, and followed with incredible fervor by
the youngest as well as by the older persons. In
remembrance of our passage here, I erected a cross
in this vast solitude.

On the iQth of November, we went a long league
thence, to encamp in a place where game is plenti
ful; but there the want of water, for melted snow
hardly quenches thirst, and the smoke, which was
very annoying, greatly tried our patience. We did
not leave this place until the 6th of December,
because the first frosts were later than usual. We
celebrated the feast of saint Francis Xavier, and after
ward that of the Immaculate Conception, with all
possible devotion, occupying ourselves on those
days and during their octave with chanting hymns
in the savage tongue. About this time there was
a very noticeable earthquake near us. I had still
further opportunity, during our journey, to observe
the extraordinary ravages of the terrible earthquake
that took place some years ago in these wild regions.
There may also be seen the recent traces which cruel
fires have left in these vast forests. The Savages
say that they have spread over more than two
hundred leagues.

On the 1 5th, I baptized a little girl, who was named
Marie.

On the 1 8th, we journeyed through a fine level

32 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Le 1 8, nous marchames dans un beau pays plat,
entrecoupe de rivieres et de lacs; nous y choisimes
un endroit pour dresser notre cabane. Nous y fumes
si persecutes de la fume e que tres-souvent j etais si
persecutes de la fum^e que tres-souvent j 6tais
oblige, pour 1 eViter, de m exposer k la rigueur d un
vent froid et glacial. Les vents furent si violents
pendant sept ou huit jours que nous craignions & tous
moments qu ils n emportassent notre cabane faite
<Te*corce, ou qu ils ne renversassent des arbres qui
nous auraient ^erases dans leur chute.

Je fus ravi de voir une pauvre fille trainer sa mere
sur les neiges, 1 espace de trois ou quatre grandes
lieues, pour avoir la consolation d etre aupres de
nous, et de participer aux prieres et aux instructions
que nous faisions tous les jours. Je confessai et
communiai cette pauvre malade selon son desir. Elle
croyait mourir bientot, mais Dieu la conserva pour
exercer sa patience et celle de sa pauvre fille.

On me raconta en cet endroit une action gen6reuse
qu avait faite un de nos Chretiens, 1 ete passe. II
.avait etc" invite & un festin superstitieux sans savoir
qu il le fut; mais, de bonnes chretiennes 1 en ayant
averti au moment ou il s y rendait, il rebroussa
chemin, et revint en sa cabane. On eut beau lui dire
qu il n y avait rien a craindre, puisque la Robe noire,
qui pourrait le trouver mauvais, n y etait pas. Ce
n est pas elle, dit-il, que je crains, mais uniquement
Celui qui a tout fait, dont les Robes noires ne sont que
les interpretes. Sa r6ponse edifia singulierement
les uns et donna beaucoup de confusion aux autres
<jui ne tarderent pas k se repentir de leur faiblesse.

Nous passames la nuit et la fete de Noel dans notre
pauvre cabane d ecorce: etnous la celebrames, sinon

1673-77] RELATION OF 1673-74 38

country, intersected by rivers and lakes, and chose a
spot for erecting our cabin. We were so harassed
by the smoke that, in order to escape from it, I was
very often obliged to expose myself to a cold and
freezing wind. The wind blew so violently for
seven or eight days that we feared it might at any
moment carry away our bark cabin, or uproot trees
which would have crushed us in their fall.

I was delighted to see a poor girl drag her mother
over the snow for a distance of three or four long
leagues, to have the consolation of being near us,
and of participating in the prayers that we said and
the daily instructions that we gave. I confessed and
administered communion to this poor sick woman at
her request. She thought she would soon die but
God preserved her to exercise her patience and that
of her poor daughter.

I was told, at this place, of a noble action performed
by one of our Christians last summer. He had been
invited to a superstitious feast, without knowing that
it was so. But some good Christian women informed
him of it, just as he was about to proceed thither;
so he retraced his steps, and returned to his cabin.
In vain was he told that there was nothing to fear,
since the black Gown, who might deem it wrong,
was away. "It is not he whom I fear," he said;
" I dread only Him who has made all, and of whom
the black Gowns are only the interpreters." His
answer greatly edified some, and shamed the others,
who soon repented of their weakness.

We passed the night and festival of Christmas in
our wretched bark cabin; and we celebrated the
feast, if not with splendor, at least with great

84 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

avec magnificence, du moins avec de grands te"moi-
gnages d amour et de deVotion envers 1 adorable
mystere du Dieu fait enfant, dont nous honorions la
naissance.

Le 4 Janvier 1674 nous partimes de ce lieu, apres
y avoir laisse" une belle croix, pour en aller planter
une dans un autre endroit oh nous arrivames bien
fatigues. Nous y eumes beaucoup k souffrir & cause
des mauvais temps, des froids et de la fume e presque
continuels.

Le 13 Janvier, quelques Sauvages arriverent et
nous apprirent en quel endroit se trouvait le P. Alba-
nel qui 6tait en route pour la baie du Nord. Je
voulus aller le voir, et en meme temps instruire
quelques Sauvages qui n e*taient pas e loigne s de lui,
et aupres desquels un mal qui lui e"tait survenu
I empechait de se rendre.

Ainsi, le 16 Janvier, je me mis en chemin avec un
capitaine algonquin et deux Fran9ais. Nous par-
times apres la messe, et nous fimes cinq grandes
lieues en raquettes, avec beaucoup d incommodite,
parce que la neige etant molle, elle rendait nos
raquettes extremement pesantes. Au bout de cinq
lieues, nous nous trouvames sur un lac de quatre a
cinq lieues, tout glace, ou le vent faisait voler grande
quantite de neige qui obscurcissait 1 air et nous em-
pechait de voir ou nous marchions. Apres avoir fait
une autre lieue et demie, avec bien de la peine, les
forces commen9aient & nous manquer. Le vent, le
froid et la neige 6taient si intolerables qu ils nous
obligerent a retourner un peu sur nos pas pour cou-
per quelques branches de sapin qui pussent, k de"faut
d ecorce, nous servir a construire une cabane.
Ensuite, nous voulumes faire du feu, mais il nous

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74

manifestations of love and devotion for the adorable
mystery of the God-child whose birth we honored.

On the 4th of January, 1674, we started from this
place, after leaving a fine cross there to go and erect
one in another place, where we arrived greatly
fatigued. We had much to suffer from almost
continual bad weather, cold, and smoke.

On the 1 3th of January, some Savages arrived, and
informed us where I could find Father Albanel, who
was on his way to the Northern bay. I wished to
go and see him, and, at the same time, to instruct
some Savages who were not far from him, and whom
he was prevented from reaching by an accident that
had happened to him.

I set out, therefore, on the i6th of January, with
an Algonquin captain and two Frenchmen. We
started after mass, and walked five long leagues on
snowshoes with much trouble, because the snow
was soft and made our snowshoes very heavy. At
the end of five leagues, we found ourselves on a lake
four or five leagues long, all frozen over, on which
the wind caused great quantities of snow to drift,
obscuring the air, and preventing us from seeing
whither we were going. After walking another
league and a half, with great difficulty, our strength
began to fail us. The wind, cold, and snow were
so intolerable that they compelled us to retrace
our steps a little, to cut some branches of fir which
might, in default of bark, serve to build a cabin.
After this, we tried to light a fire, but were unable
to do so. We were thus reduced to a most pitiful
condition. The cold was beginning to seize us to an
extraordinary degree, the darkness was great, and
the wind blew fearfully. In order, therefore, to keep

36 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

fut impossible de 1 allumer. Nous e"tions ainsi
reduits au plus pitoyable e"tat. Le froid commen9ait
a nous saisir d une Strange maniere, la nuit etait pro-
fonde et le vent soufflait horriblement. Ainsi, pour
ne pas nous laisser mourir de froid, nous nous
remimes, malgre" notre faiblesse, a marcher sur le lac
pendant robscurite" de la nuit, sans savoir ou nous
allions. Nous e"tions d ailleurs toujours tres-incom-
mods du vent et de la neige ; mais, apres une lieue et
demie du chemin, il fallut succomber malgre" nous,
et nous arreter k 1 endroit oil nous nous trouvions.
Le danger ou nous etions de mourir de froid me fit
souvenir du charitable Pere de Noue qui, dans une
pareille rencontre, fut trouve" mort sur la neige, &
genoux et les mains jointes. Cette pense"e me
ranima; je fis a Dieu le sacrifice de ma vie, et j unis
ma mort, que je croyais etre proche, a celle de ce
pieux missionnaire. Les Fran9ais avec qui nous
etions, abattirent quelques branches de sapin qu ils
mirent sur la neige, et sur lesquelles nous nous
jetames, apres avoir fait nos prieres, et pris, pour
tout repas, un peu de theriaque et sept a huit grains
de raisin sec que nous trouvames par hasard sur
nous. La lassitude nous faisait tomber dans le som-
meil que le vent, le froid et la neige ne nous permet-
taient pas de gouter longtemps. Nous veillames
ainsi tout le reste de la nuit. La Providence cepen-
dant nous a pre serve s de plus graves accidents, et
nous le devons sans doute a 1 intercession de la sainte
Vierge h qui nous nous etions particulierement
recommande s. Le lendemain matin, deux Franais
de la cabane du P. Albanel arriverent bien propos,
et allumerent un grand feu sur la neige. Un d eux
alia chercher de 1 eau pour etancher notre soif qui

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74 37

ourselves from dying with cold, we resumed our
march on the lake, in spite of our fatigue, in the
obscurity of the night, without knowing whither we
were going. We were, moreover, always greatly
impeded by the wind and snow; but, after walk
ing a league and a half, we had to succumb, in spite
of ourselves, and stop where we were. The danger
we ran of dying from cold caused me to remember
the charitable Father de Noue, who on a similar
occasion was found dead in the snow, kneeling and
with clasped hands. This thought roused me ; I made
a sacrifice of my life to God, and united my death,
which I believed to be near, to that of the pious
missionary. The French who were with us, cut
some fir-branches, which they laid on the snow ; and
we threw ourselves down on them, after saying our
prayers and taking, for all repast, a little theriac and
seven or eight raisins, that we happened to have with
us. Fatigue caused us to fall into a slumber, which
the wind, the cold, and the snow did not allow us
long to enjoy ; we therefore remained awake during
the rest of the night. Providence, however, pre
served us from more serious accidents, and we are
no doubt indebted for this to the intercession of the
blessed Virgin, to whom we had particularly com
mended ourselves. On the following morning, two
Frenchmen from Father Albanel s cabin arrived,
very opportunely, and kindled a great fire on the
snow. One of them went for some water, to quench
our excessive thirst. Then we resumed our journey
on the same lake, and at last, in spite of the wind
and snow drifting in our faces, we reached the spot
where Father Albanel was. I found with him four
of Savages, whom I instructed. A serious

38 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

tait excessive. Puis, nous nous remimes en chemin
sur le meme lac; et enfin, malgr6 le vent et la neige,
qui nous donnaient dans le visage, nous arrivames a
1 endroit ou etait le P. Albanel. Je trouvai avec lui
quatre cabanes de Sauvages que j instruisis. Une
blessure grave, occasionnee par la chute d un pesant
fardeau qui lui 6tait tomb6 sur les reins, ne lui per-
mettait pas de se remuer, et encore moins de faire
les fonctions de missionnaire.

Deux jours apres, je retournai a ma cabane, qui
etait environ a dix lieues de la. J y administrai les
derniers sacrements a une femme malade, qui me les
demanda avec instance, et te moigna mourir fort con-
tente. Cette bonne Sauvage faisait paraitre de
grands sentiments d amour envers Dieu et de deVo-
tion et confiance envers la Sainte Vierge. Je me
rendis ensuite a deux cabanes de Sauvages Outabiti-
becs, qui 6taient environ a quatre lieues de distance,
et je leur expliquai les verite s du salut. II n est pas
concevable avec quelle avidit ils 6couterent mes
instructions, et quelle deVotion ils apporterent au
sacrement de penitence et a la communion.

Apres etre demeur deux jours avec eux, je retour
nai k ma cabane, pour me disposer au voyage que je
devais entreprendre chez les Mistassins et chez les
Papinachois.

Le 2 feVrier, je rencontrai encore une fois le P.
Albanel.

Le 6, je le quittai, et j allai avec les Sauvages qui
m accompagnaient me loger aupres d une tres-belle
riviere oh nous fumes quelques jours en paix, jusqu a
ce que le P. Albanel m envoya un Fran9ais pour
m avertir que l 6pouvante 6tait partout, qu on croyait
que les Iroquois e"taient en marche et qu ils avaient

1673-77] RELATION OF 1673-74. 39

injury, caused by the fall of a heavy load upon his
loins, prevented him from moving, and still more
from performing a missionary s duties.

Two days afterward I returned to my own cabin,
about ten leagues from there. I administered the
last sacraments to a sick woman, who begged me to
do so, and who said that she died very happy. This
good Savage woman manifested deep sentiments of
love for God, and of devotion for and confidence in
the Blessed Virgin. I then proceeded to two cabins
of Outabitibec Savages, at a distance of about four
leagues ; and I explained the truths of salvation to
them. It is impossible to conceive the avidity with
which they listened to my instructions, and the
devotion that they manifested for the sacraments of
penance and communion.

After remaining two days with them, I returned
to my cabin to prepare for the journey that I was to
undertake to the Mistassins and Papinachois.

On the 2nd of February, I once more met Father
Albanel.

On the 6th, I left him, and went with the Savages
who accompanied me to encamp near a very fine
river. There we remained some days in peace, until
Father Albanel sent a Frenchman to warn me that
fear reigned everywhere; that the Iroquois were
believed to be on the war-path ; that they had sur
prised a band of our Savages at lake Kinougami;
and that the Outabitibecs and other tribes were gath
ering in a fortified enclosure for shelter and defense.
This bad news compelled me to go to them, to con
fess and encourage them, because Father Albanel
was still crippled by his injury. I set out, accom
panied by one Frenchman.

40 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5*

surpris un parti de nos Sauvages au lac de Kinou-
gami; que les Outabitibecs et autres tribus se ras-
semblaient dans une enceinte fortifi.ee, afin de s y
mettre a convert et en defense. Ces tristes nouvelles
m obligerent de les aller trouver pour les confesser
et les encourager, parce que le P. Albanel etait
encore incommode" de sa blessure. Je me mis en
chemin, accompagne d un Frangais.

Nous fimes vingt lieues dans les bois, avec des
peines incroyables, et dans la crainte continuelle
d etre rencontre s par les Iroquois. Nous trouvions
sur notre route grand nombre de cabanes que la peur
avait fait abandonner.

Le 3 mars, nous arrivames a 1 endroit oil les Sau
vages s etaient fortifies. Us e"taient bien au nombre
de quatre-vingts hommes bien decides. Us furent
ravis de nous voir. Je les consolai de mon mieux et
je les confessai. Cependant -un de leurs chefs etait
alle" avec trois jeunes gens pour de"couvrir 1 ennemi;
en attendant, nous passames quatre nuits dans
l 6pouvante, et pendant les deux premieres nous
couchames dans leur fort et sur la neige.

Le 5, ceux qui etaient alles & la de"couverte
revinrent et nous rassurerent un peu. Us nous
apprirent que le meurtre qui avait cause cette panique
generate ne s etait pas fait si pres de nous, mais au
lac de Piecouagami, et que les Sauvages qui demeu-
raient sur ces bords allaient se fortifier et s assembler
en grand nombre pour attaquer les Iroquois, le prin-
temps prochain.

Ces nouvelles, qui nous tranquillisaient, me per-
mirent de retourner a ma premiere cabane. J y e"tais
depuis quelques jours, lorsque cinq Sauvages envoyes
par le chef des Mistassins vinrent m avertir de sa

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673- 74 41

We walked twenty leagues in the woods, with
incredible difficulty, and in continual dread of being
set upon by the Iroquois. On the way we came
upon a great number of cabins abandoned through
fear.

On the 3rd of March, we reached the spot where
the Savages had fortified themselves; there were at
least eighty determined men. They were delighted
to see us. I consoled them to the best of my ability,
and confessed them. Meanwhile, one of their chiefs
had gone with three young men to reconnoiter the
enemy; while awaiting their return we passed four
nights in dread, and, during the first two, we slept
in their fort and upon the snow.

On the 5th, those who had gone to reconnoiter
came back and somewhat reassured us. They told
us that the massacre that had caused the general
panic had not taken place so close to us, but at lake
Pie"couagami ; and that the Savages dwelling on its
shores were going to fortify themselves, and gather
in great numbers to attack the Iroquois the following
spring.

This news, which quieted us, enabled me to return
to my first cabin. I had been there a few days when
five Savages, sent by the chief of the Mistassins,
came to notify me on his behalf to go and instruct
him. He had especially charged them to help
me as much as they could, so as to smooth the diffi
culties and shorten the length of the journey that
must be performed in order to reach him.

I set out with them on the 26th of March. We
were obliged to walk in water half-way up to our
thighs, and with great difficulty. We set up our cabin
on the top of a hill that borders on the river called

42 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

part de Taller trouver pour 1 instruire. II leur avait
fort recommande" de m aider autant qu ils pourraient
pour adoucir les difficultes et la longueur du chemin
qu il y avait & parcourir pour arriver jusqu lui.

Je partis avec eux le 26 mars. Nous fumes obliges
de marcher dans 1 eau jusqu mi-jambes et avec bien
de la peine. Nous e tablimes notre cabane au haut
d une colline qui borde la riviere qu on nomme
Emenipemagau, & cause de sa rapidite et de plusieurs
ilots dont elle est entrecoupee. Elle est en outre
tres-large et tres-profonde, et extremement poisson-
neuse. Elle descend vers le nord-ouest, oii, perdant
un peu de sa largeur, elle prend le nom de riviere
des Papinachois.

Nous marchames deux grandes journees pour trou
ver la chute d eau dont elle est coupee. Ce ne fut
pas sans de grandes fatigues, parce que nous e"tions
obliges de marcher continuellement sur les glaces,
qui 6taient extremement unies et glissantes. Enfin
nous arrivames & la belle riviere de Mauchau-
traganich. J y trouvai plusieurs Sauvages qui me
reurent avec tous les te"moignages de joie dont ils
purent s aviser. Ils n epargnaient ni les festins, ni
les danses, ni les chants, et ils venaient incessamment
me visiter, au point que je trouvai ces pauvres gens
tout disposes & recevoir mes instructions, et j ad-
mirai les miracles de la grace, qui les avait ainsi
pr6pare"s & m e couter. Je me mis les instruire, en
particulier et en public, pendant six ou sept semaines,
qui me semblerent bien courtes. J en baptisai cent
deux, tant enfants qu adultes, et entre autres deux de
leurs chefs. Ces bons Sauvages me te"moignerent
publiquement leur joie et ne savaient de quelle ma-
niere me remercier du bien que je leur avais fait en

1 673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 -74 43

Emenipemagau, on account of its rapidity and of
several islets in it. It is moreover very wide and
very deep, and exceedingly well stocked with fish.
It flows toward the northwest, where, losing a little
of its width, it takes the name of " river of the
Papinachois.

We journeyed fully two days to find the waterfall
that breaks its course. This was not done without
great fatigue, because we were obliged to walk
continually on the ice, which was very smooth and
slippery. At last, we reached the fine river of
Mauchautraganich. 5 I found many Savages there,
who received me with all the evidences of joy that
their minds could suggest. They spared neither
feasts, nor dances, nor songs, and continually came
to visit me so much, that I found these poor
people fully disposed to receive my instructions,
and I admired the miracles of grace which had thus
prepared them to listen to me. I set to work to
instruct them, in private and in public, during six
or seven weeks, which seemed to me very short. I
baptized one hundred and two, both children and
adults and, among others, two of their chiefs.
These good Savages publicly manifested to me their
joy, and knew not how to thank me for the favor that
I had done them by administering to them baptism.
Four old men, whom I had deferred baptizing for a
year, were among those who received me in this vil
lage. They stated in a public discourse how happy
they esteemed themselves ; and they invited me to
instruct them more fully, and to come back to see
them again, which I promised to do.

Among these Savages, several who had come from
the Northern bay were greatly surprised at seeing

44 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5

leur conferant le bapteme. Qtiatre vieillards qui
je 1 avais diff6r6 depuis un an e"taient du nombre de
ceux qui me rejurent dans cette bourgade ; ils de"cla-
rerent par un discours public combien ils s estimaient
heureux, et me convierent a les instruire plus pleine-
ment et a les revenir trouver, ce que je leur promis.

Parmi ces Sauvages, plusieurs, qui 6taient descen-
dus de la baie du Nord, furent fort surpris de voir
des Fran9ais venir de si loin, et furent ravis d en-
tendre les discours que je leur adressai sur la
religion. Ils promirent tous de se rendre au prin-
temps prochain a 1 endroit ou ils apprendraient que
je ferais la Mission, afin d etre instruits plus a loisir
qu ils ne pouvaient 1 etre pour lors; ils ajouterent
meme qu ils s eflforceraient d amener avec eux grand
nombre de leurs compatriotes pour le meme dessein.

Cependant une partie des Mistassins partirent peu
de temps apres pour Quebec, afin d aller presenter
leurs respects a M. de Frontenac, gouverneur du
Canada. Ils avaient aussi intention de lui demander
sa protection contre 1 Iroquois, de 1* assurer qu ils le
prenaient pour leur pere, et qu afin de porter mieux
la qualite de ses enfants, ils voulaient continuer d ai-
mer la Priere, pour laquelle ils savaient qu il avait
tant de zele. Je m embarquai avec eux. Pendant
notre voyage, nous fumes presque tous malades, et
quatre ou cinq des plus ages moururent. Ces bons
Sauvages n avaient point encore vu de missionnaires
avant moi, et, comme ils s etaient convertis des les
premieres instructions qu ils avaient reues, Dieu
voulut re compenser ainsi leur promptitude a ob6ir a
la grace, en leur accordant la grace de mourir peu de
temps apres leur bapteme. J e"tais assez abattu par
la faim que j avais soufferte en diverses rencontres,

1673- 77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74 45

Frenchmen come from so great a distance, and were
delighted to hear the discourses that I addressed to
them upon religion. They all promised to come, in
the following spring, to the place where they should
learn that I was holding my Mission, in order to be
instructed more at leisure than they could then be.
They also added that they would endeavor to bring
a large number of their countrymen with them, for
the same purpose.

Meanwhile, a portion of the Mistassins left shortly
afterward for Quebec, to present their respects to
Monsieur de Frontenac, the governor of Canada.
They also intended to crave his protection against
the Iroquois ; and to assure him that they took him
for their father, and that, to become worthier of
being his children, they would continue to love
Prayer, for which they knew he was so zealous. I
embarked with them. During our journey we were
nearly all sick, and four or five of the older ones
died. These good Savages had never seen any other
missionaries before they saw me ; and, as they were
converted on receiving the very first instructions, it
was God s will to thus reward their promptness in
obeying grace, by granting them the favor of dying
shortly after their baptism. I was somewhat weak
ened by the hunger that I had endured on various
occasions, and by the fatigues caused me by so many
arduous journeys; but God gave me still sufficient
strength to carry out the rest of my undertaking.

We left on the 6th of May, and made three long
portages before reaching the river of the Mistassins
and that of the Papinachois. Bad weather, rain, and
mosquitoes greatly annoyed us. I nevertheless
visited some poor sick persons, and four large cabins,

46 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

et par les fatigues que m avaient causers tant de
voyages si difficiles, mais Dieu me donna encore
assez de force pour achever le reste.

Partis le 6 de mai, nous fimes trois grands
portages avant que de nous rendre a la riviere des
Mistassins et a celle des Papinachois. Le mauvais
temps, la pluie et les maringoins, nous incommode-
rent beaucoup. Je visitai cependant quelques pauvres
malades et quatre grandes cabanes, que je trouvai
sur les bords du Manaouni, riviere extremement
poissonneuse, qui nourrit quantite" de brockets d une
grosseur extraordinaire. Apres etre demeure" quel
ques jours aupres du grand et profond lac d Echita-
gameth, ou je baptisai trois personnes, je me remis en
chemin, accompagn6 de vingt canots de Sauvages.
Nous franchimes heureusement douze rapides, ou
les eaux e"taient si basses qu il fallut nous mettre a
1 eau pour trainer nos canots nous-memes, ce qui ne
se put faire sans beaucoup de peine.

Le 24 mai, nous arrivames a Che coutimi; j y trou
vai quelques Franjais et grand nombre de Sauvages,
auxquels j expliquai les ve rite s de notre Foi. Je
confe"rai le bapteme a trois enfants et je le diffe"rai a
quelques adultes qui le demandaient; je voulais
qu ils en connussent encore mieux 1 importance, et
que j eusse moi-meme plus de loisir de connaitre
s ils en e"taient dignes.

Le 31, je quittai Che coutimi, accompagn6 seule-
ment de douze canots. Nous arrivames Quebec
peu de jours apres, et les Sauvages que j avais
emmene s allerent sur-le-champ rendre leurs respects
a M. le comte de Frontenac, qui les re9Ut avec bien
de la bonte", et qui les exhorta fortement a continuer
de vivre en ve"ritables Chretiens.

167S-77] RELATION OF 1673-74 4T

that I found on the banks of the Manaouni, a river
abundantly stocked with fish, which yielded a great
many pike, of extraordinary size. After remaining
some days near the great and deep lake Echitaga-
meth, where I baptized three persons, I continued
my journey, accompanied by twenty canoes of Sav
ages. We successfully passed twelve rapids, where
the stream was so low that we had to get into the
water to drag our canoes ourselves, which could not
be done without much difficulty.

On the 24th of May, we arrived at Che"coutimi ;
there I found some Frenchmen and a great many
Savages, to whom I explained the truths of our Faith.
I administered baptism to three children and deferred
baptizing some adults who asked for it. I wished
them to more fully realize its importance, and for
myself to have more leisure for ascertaining whether
they were worthy of it.

On the 3 1st, I left Che coutimi, accompanied by
only twelve canoes. We reached Quebec a few days
afterward; and the Savages whom I had brought
with me proceeded at once to pay their respects to
Monsieur the count de Frontenac. He received them
with great kindness, and earnestly exhorted them to
continue to live as true Christians.

48 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

CHAPITRE II.

DE LA MISSION DES SEPT-ILES.

SOUS le nom des Sept-lies est compris tin pays de
la cote du Nord, & plus de cent lieues de
Quebec, en descendant sur le fleuve de Saint-
Laurent, cm de fait Ton voit sept lies, qui ne sont
composees que de rochers fort steriles et couverts
seulement de me chants arbrisseaux. La plus grande
n a pas deux lieues de tour, et la plus pres de la
terre n en est e loigne e que d une bonne lieue. Elles
ne laissent pas pourtant d etre assez fameuses, a
cause du concours des Sauvages, qui, apres avoir
chasse" dans les forets de la terre ferme, se rendent
de temps en temps a une riviere assez voisine de
ces iles, pour y trafiquer avec les Franjais que le
commerce y attire.

C est la proprement le pays des nations qu on
nomme Oumamiois, dont la langue tire son origine
de celle des Sauvages de Tadoussac, quoiqu elle ait
beaucoup plus de mots et d idiomes differents.

Ces Sauvages sont naturellement bons et fort
traitables; ils tmoignent des dispositions assez
favorables au Christianisme, car pour avoir seule
ment entendu parler de la Foi par leurs voisins, ils
de"sirent avec ardeur d etre instruits eux-memes et
d avoir au milieu d eux quelqu un de nos Peres.

Ils ne sont pas bien eloignes des Esquimaux,
dont ceux qui les avoisinent du cote" du midi ne sont

1 673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74

CHAPTER II.
OF THE MISSION OF SEPT ILES.

UNDER the name of Sept lies is comprised a
region on the North shore, more than a
hundred leagues distant from Quebec, as one
descends the Saint Lawrence River. There may in
deed be seen seven islands, which are composed only
of rocks, very sterile, and having but stunted shrubs
for covering. The largest of the islands is less than
two leagues in circumference; and that nearest to
the land is only a good league distant therefrom.
They are, however, quite noted, on account of the
concourse of Savages, who, after hunting in the
forests on the mainland, resort from time to time
to a river quite near these islands, in order to trade
with the French who are drawn thither by commerce.

That region is properly the country of the tribes
whom we call Oumamiois; their language takes its
origin from that of the Tadoussac Savages, although
it has many more words and a greater range of idioms.

Those Savages are naturally good, and very tract
able ; they manifest a disposition very favorable to
Christianity, for although they have only heard of
the Faith through their neighbors talk, they eagerly
desire to be themselves instructed, and to have among
them one of our Fathers.

They are not very distant from the Esquimaux;
their neighbors among those tribes toward the south
are not so fierce as are the hordes of the same name

50 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

pas aussi farouches que d autres peuplades du meme
nom qui habitant plus au nord. Ces derniers, ainsi
qu on nous 1 a assure^ de"truisirent Tan passe" un vais-
seau venu d Europe, avec tout son equipage, pour
venger la mort de quelques-uns des leurs, qui avaient
6t6 tile s par des gens du navire, dans un demele
survenu pendant qu ils traitaient ensemble.

Toute la cote de cette mer est horrible k voir.
Ce ne sont que des rochers entass6s les uns sur les
autres, charge s de mediants halliers et d un petit
bois fort e"pais, dans lequel les Sauvages ne pour-
raient pas chasser, s ils n etaient tout habills de
peaux, et non pas de nos etoffes, qui s en iraient
bientot en pieces.

Ces roches sont couples par beaucoup de rivieres
dont plusieurs, qui sont assez considerables, se
de"chargent dans la mer, et font a leur embouchure
des havres fort commodes pour y recevoir des
barques.

Le gibier est tres-abondant en ces quartiers, mais
ce sont tous oiseaux de mer, peu agreables au gout,
parce qu ils ont un gout d huile qui est insuppor
table. L on pourrait faire dans ces environs grande
peche de saumon, de morue, de loups marins et
meme de baleines qui se trouvent en abondance, et de
toute grandeur, dans une belle et large baie, dans
laquelle on les prendrait assez aisement. Ces deux
sortes de poissons, les baleines et les loups marins,
pourraient fournir un grand commerce d huile, si
on 1 entreprenait comme il faut.

Les Sauvages de ces cotes etant, comme j ai dit,
d un assez bon naturel, et desirant d etre instruits, le
P. Louis Nicolas a fait 1 ouverture de cette Mission

167S - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 - 74 51

who dwell farther north. These latter, as we have
been assured, destroyed last year a vessel which had
come from Europe, with all its crew, in order to
avenge the deaths of some of their tribesmen ; these
had been slain by some of the ship s people, in a
quarrel that arose while they were trading together.

All the coast of this sea is frightful to behold ;
there is naught but rocks piled together, encumbered
with low thickets and a dense growth of stunted trees.
Our Savages could not hunt there, if they were not
entirely clad in skins instead of our stuffs, which
would be quickly torn to pieces.

These rocky lands are intersected by numerous
rivers; some of these, of considerable volume, dis
charge their waters into the sea, and at their mouths
form very commodious harbors for the reception of
barks. 6

Game is very abundant in this quarter, but it com
prises only sea-birds ; their flesh is disagreeable to the
palate, for it has an oily flavor that is insupportable.
In that vicinity could be carried on an extensive fish
ery of salmon, codfish, seals, and even whales,
which are found in abundance and of great size, in
a fine and large bay, in which they could easily be
taken. These two kinds of fish, whales and seals,
could supply a great commerce in oil, if it were
undertaken in the right way.

As the Savages of that coast are, as I have said,
very friendly and desirous of being instructed, Father
Louis Nicolas, 7 about the end of spring, made the
beginning of that Mission. It is, correctly speaking,
only an attempt; for the Father went mainly to
ascertain how he ought to go to work, in order to
labor efficaciously for the salvation of those peoples.

52 LES RELATIONS DES jSUITES [Vox. 59

vers la fin du printemps. Ce n est a proprement
parler qu un essai, car ce Pere est all surtout
examiner comment on doit s y prendre pour travailler
efficacement an salut de ces peuples. II y a baptise
quelques enfants, et a fait fonction de missionnaire
envers les atitres, pendant le pen de temps qn il y
est reste.

Le mal de terre, qui a fortement eprouve les Fran-
fais qui ont hivern6 en ce pays, et qui meme en a
fait mourir deux, a oblige les autres a se retirer au
plus tot, et le missionnaire avec eux. Mais on a
promis aux Sauvages que, le printemps prochain, il
retournerait les voir pour les instruire entierement,
et leur faire part du sang de Je"sus- Christ, qui ne 1 a
pas moins verse pour ces pauvres barbares que pour
les rois de la terre.

Si 1 on pousse plus avant dans ces regions du nord
on trouvera encore d autres nations plus farouch.es,
il est vrai, que celle-ci, mais qui ne le sont pas telle-
ment que les maximes de 1 Evangile ne puissent les
gagner Dieu, aussi bien que les autres peuples
sauvages de ce nouveau monde.

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1^3-74 53

He baptized some children there, and performed the
duties df a missionary toward the others, during the
short time that he spent there.

The scurvy, which severely tried the French
who wintered in that country, and even caused two
of them to die, has obliged them, and the missionary
also, to leave it as soon as possible. But he promised
the Savages that next spring he would return to
them, that he might fully instruct them, and make
them share in the blood of Jesus Christ, which he
has shed not less for these poor barbarians than for
the kings of earth.

If one could push farther into those northern
regions, one would find still other nations more
untamed, it is true, than are these; but not so much
so that the maxims of the Gospel could not win them
to God, as well as the other savage peoples of this
new world.

CXXX1V CXXXV

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS, 1673-74

CXXX1V. Memoire pour un Miffionaire qui ira aux 7 isles ;

Louis Nicolas, [La Prairie, 1673]

CXXXV. Lettre du P. Claude Dablon au R. P. Pinette ;
Quebec, 24 octobre, 1674

SOURCES : Doc. CXXXIV. is reproduced from the original
MS., which is conserved in the archives of St. Mary s
College, Montreal. The text of Doc. CXXXV. is obtained
from Douniol s Relations inddites, t. ii., pp. 3-i$>

56 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Memoire pour un Miffionaire qui ira aux 7 isles

q 9 les Sauuages appellent ManisB-

nagBch ou Bien MansBnok.

1L y Trouuera au printemps prochain en diuerses
fois enuiron 150 perfonnes tant grands q 9 petits
il pourrea les uoir tous et pent estre d autres qui
arriueront des Terres ou des bords de la mer. den-
haut il ny peut auoir q 9 les Papinachois. den has les
Hmamiyetch qui font une nation des esKimeaux et les
esKimeaux niesme pourront uenir toutes ces nations
parlent quasi de mefme le fons de leur langue est
Montagnes il est Beaucoup different de celuy de ceux
qui uiennent a Tadfetssak et chektftimi et a Pigtfagami
Pour les entendre raifonnablement il faut Bien
fcauvoir le Montagnes.

ceux q 9 J ay ueu au nombre de 26 3 iours q 9 Jay
este dans leurs pays me paroiffent forts bons et
bien traitables ils desirent de prier et fe plaignent de
ce q 9 tout au plus ils uoyent les PP 2 ou 3 nuicts.

ceux qui font plus bas q 9 les 7 Isles font plus
farouches pour n auoir lamais hante" les francois ou
europeans ils ont pourtant le naturel doux nobitant
cela ils on desfaict un nauire des nations d europe et
cela dans une querelle apres la boiffon et la desfaicte
de quelq 9 un de leurs gens q 9 les europeans atta-
querent et tuerent les premiers.

Toute la cofle de la mer est horrible il ny a pas un
poulie" de Terre tout est rochers, couuerts de Tres
petits arbres pruches Sapins que la petit Bouleau

1673-77] THE SEVEN ISLANDS 57

Memorandum for a Missionary who will go to

the 7 islands, which the Savages call Mani-

sounagouch, or, Properly, Mansounok.

HE will Find there next spring, at various times,
about 150 persons, both adults and children.
He will probably see all these and perhaps
others, who will come from the Interior or from the
shores of the sea. From above, he can have only
the Papinachois; from below, the Oumamiwetch,
who are a nation of eskimeaux, and even the eski-
meaux may come. All these nations speak nearly
the same tongue. The foundation of their language
is Montagnais ; it is Very different from that of the
people who come to Tadoussak and chekoutimi and
to Pigwagami. To understand them aright, it is
necessary to have a Good knowledge of Montagnais.

Those whom I saw, to the number of 26, during the
3 days that I spent in their country, appeared to me
very good and quite tractable. They wish to pray,
and complain that, at the most, they only see the
Fathers for 2 or 3 nights.

Those who are farther down than the 7 Islands are
less sociable, for they have Never associated with
the french or europeans. They have, however,
gentle natures. Notwithstanding this, they destroyed
a european ship ; and that in consequence of a quarrel
after drinking, and the defeat of some of their people,
whom the europeans had first attacked and killed.

The entire sea-coast is of frightful aspect. There
is not even the space of a drying-ground of Soil ; it is
all rocks, covered with Very small trees of spruce

58 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [Vou 89

pas tin bel arbre, il y a du gibier fans fin tons
oyfeaux de marine qui puent Ihuylle a plaine Bouche.

il y a Beaucoup de petites riuiers et quelq 9 grandes
ou il y a de Beaux haures ou les petits bastimens
entrent auec afses de peine quand les vents ne font
pas fauorables Tout le long de la cofte on uoit des
loups marins dont les Sauuages uiuent tout 1 este" les
francois peuuent faire Beaucoup dhuilles des loups
marins q 9 les fauuages tuent et des moulues queux
mesmes prendront en abondance dans une grande
Baye endeca des 7 isles uis a uis la riuiere St eus-
tache et un peu au dela du Katfi qui est le bout de
la baye en reuenant a quebek dans cette Baye II y a
grande quantite" de grofses et de petites Balenes si
les francois pouuoint trouuer le fecret de les prendre
ils pourroint bien fournir des huilles et faire un
Beau commerce en europe auec cela.

Vn mifsionaire auroit Bien le Loisir d istruire les
fauuages de toutes ces cofles fi les francois y fai-
soint la pefche des Balenes furtout, ou bien des loup
marins ou tout au moins du faumon qui y abonde en
diuerses riuieres particulierement dans celle q 9 les
sauuages appellent Chimanibit qui eft uis a uis des 7
ifles II ny a rien a faire pour un hyuernement pour
les francois ny pour un missionaire a caufe q 9 les
fauuages uont en trop petites bandes et ils n ont pas
Beaucoup de chafse outre q 9 les bois font tres diffi-
celles a caufe de lespefleur des bois quoq 9 tres petits
on y deschire toutes les hardes francoises cest pour
quoy les fauuages ne veulent f habiller q 9 de peaux
a caufe q 9 les forests eftants tres espaifses les chaf-
seurs y deschirent toutes les estoffes q 9 les franjois
leurs Baillent dans moins d un Jour.

1673-77] THE SEVEN ISLANDS 59

and Fir, save the little Birch, not one beautiful tree.
There is no end to game, all marine birds, which,
to speak Frankly, stink of oil.

There are Many small rivers, and some large ones
where there are Beautiful harbors, into which the
little ships enter with considerable difficulty when
the winds are not favorable. All along the coast,
seals are to be seen, upon which the Savages live
during the entire summer. The french can make a
Great deal of oil from the seals that the savages kill,
and from the codfish that they themselves will catch
in abundance in a large Bay on this side of the 7
islands, opposite the river St. eustache and a little
beyond Kawi, which is the end of the bay in
returning to quebek. In this Bay, There is great
abundance of Whales, large and small. If the french
could find the secret of catching these, they could
very well furnish oil, and thus carry on a Fine trade
with europe.

A missionary would Easily obtain Opportunity to
instruct the savages of all these coasts, if the french
conducted fisheries there, especially for Whales, or
else for seals, or, at least, for salmon, which abound
here in various rivers, especially in that which the
savages call Chimanibit, which is opposite the 7
islands. There is nothing for the french or for a
missionary to do in the winter, because the savages
go about in too small bands, and do not have Much
hunting. Besides, the woods are very hard to pass
through, on account of the density of the trees,
although these are very small ; all french clothes are
torn in them. On this account, the savages will wear
nothing but skins, because, the forests being very
dense, the hunters, in less than a Day, tear all the
stuffs that the french Sell them.

60 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Tous les 26 fauuages q 9 J ay ueu eftoint Baptizes a
la reserue de 3 petits enfans q 9 Jay Baptize"
Voicy leurs noms

Ludouicus estamX. papinachitfi.
francifca apiK^fitf 8papinachiKtfe.

fillii eoru et filiae
Ignatius nematchiabamat.
Josephus 8tcha&na.
Anna Hmifcimau.
Anna K&aK&pana.

Maria nipeKaftf. fait semblant de dormir
Joannam papamifktfetf Baptizaui die 3 Junii

1673. patrinus fuit d. lambertus
Antonius abf Ab8 Bouillon de lieure.
maria magdalena lachagaftetf 6 uidi eius con-

iuge

ignatius attfirinitf.
catharina cheskaitf.

non recordantur nominu fuoru
Xestchinili cas faict femblant defstre Jeune,

duas habuit mulieres Interrogandus an &c.

nomen illius nationis eft tfeparitfiatfj.
KikHan^ a decem. annis Baptizatus tftchifestigtf

nation e
eius coniux nominatur pepisagtftatf. ManiKiia-

ganik^e.

Filia eius catharina egasitabe nominatur.
filius eius nominatur meschifeabamat
Dyonyfiu eius paruulu filiu Batizaui die 3 lun

1673 nominant Sylueflres Kamachiflietfanet

celuy quil faut qui ait mauuaife Tefle patrinus

fuit dyonifms tfron

1673 - 77] THE SE VEN I SLA NDS 61

All the 26 savages whom I saw were Baptized, with
the exception of 3 little children, whom I Baptized.
Here are their names :

Louis estamou, a papinachi.
frangoise apikousiou, a papinachi.

Their sons and daughters :
ignace nematchiabamat.
Joseph Outchaouna.
Anne Oumiscimau.
Anne Kwakoupana.
Marie nipekasou " feigns to sleep."
Jeanne papamiskweou was Baptized by me on

the 3rd of June, 1673; her godfather was

monsieur lambert. 8

Antoine WabousAbou " hare s Broth."
marie magdelaine lachagasteou. I did not see

her husband,
ignace atwiriniou.
Catherine cheskaiou.

These do not recall their names :
Westchinisi casou " pretends to be Young"

had two wives; he must be questioned

whether etc. ; the name of his nation is

Wepariwiawi.
Kikwanou was Baptized ten years ago; is of

the Outchisestigou nation.
His wife is named pepisagoutaou, of the

Manikwagan tribe.
A daughter of his is named Catherine egwasita-

beou.

A son is named meschiseabamat.
Denys, his infant son, was Baptized by me June

3, 1673; the Savages call him Kamachistie-

wanet he who needs must have a stubborn

Head ; his godfather was denys Ouron.

62 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [Vox,. 59

Francifcus taktfatchifenapetf le petit grand

Mafle est filius coniugis KiktfanK
petrus. pepaktfsinagtftietf, celuy qui paroit tou-

siours malade.
^ Barnabas eittfcha funt duo filii KiK8an8.

Pentske Mitchititf, 1 aigle.
f eius coniux mischitia nominatur non recordatur

nominis sui neq 9 Baptifimi et fi grandseua

fit.
eius filius nominatur Ludouicus chakarag, a

duobus annis eu Baptizaui &. nempe die 7

oct. 1671
Ketinam vetula non recordatur fui Baptismi

etfi fit Baptifata ut mihi affirmatu eft a Syl-

ueftri muliere, ite mihi fimiliter affirmatu

eft de mifchitia q 9 fuerit Batizata alias a

patribus noftris
Bernardinu Batizaui puerulu die 3* lunij 1673

patrinus fuit de Beaulieu eum pueru Syl-

ueftres nominant mtftecha.
Josephus autichi8 manu h 1 ^ .^., habet] gelidam

Hpapinachi^j

Non recordantur nominu fuoru

Charolus, Kachina^aygat, qui resemble au pied.
[Crossed out in original: Oes numero funt 26
quos uidi ft oes Baptizati]

L. NICOLAS

1673-77] THE SEVEN ISLANDS 68

Fran9ois takwatchisenapeou " the little big
Man " is the son of the wife of Kikwanou.

pierre pepakousinagoutieou "he who always
looks sick" and Barnabe eitoucha are two
sons of Kikwanou.

Pentske Mitchitiou " the eagle."

His wife is named mischitia ; she does not recall
her name or her Baptism, but she is very
old.

His son is named Louis chakaragou; I Baptized
him two years ago, October 7, 1671.

Kwetinamou, an old woman, does not recall her
Baptism, although she is Baptized, as has
been affirmed to me by a Savage woman; I
am told the same concerning mischitia
that she has been elsewhere Baptized by
our fathers.

Bernardin, a little boy, was Baptized by me
June 3, 1673; his godfather was de Beau-
lieu; the Savages call the boy moutecha.

Joseph Wautichiou "has a cold hand"
Oupapinachiwi.
These do not recall their names:

nouseskwewe.

Wabisiwisitch.

Westchinisikasou.

Oukoutaskweou.
. touskatisiwa.

Charles, Kachinawaougat " he who resembles

afoot."

[Crossed out in original : The number of all whom
I saw is 26; they are all Baptized.]

Louis NICOLAS.

64

LESRELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Lettre du P. Claude Dablon Superieur des
Missions du Canada et recteur de
Quebec au R. P. Pinette Pro
vincial de France.

A QUEBEC, ce 24 octobre 1674.

MON REVEREND PERE,
Pax Christi.

J adresse cette lettre a Votre Reverence pour
1 informer en general de 1 etat de toutes nos Mis
sions. Elle aura la consolation de voir, par ce peu
que je lui Scris, que le nom de Jesus-Christ retentit
en toutes nos forets, et qu il est adore, ou du moins
reconnu de tous ces peuples; nos Peres s y employ-
ant avec un zele indicible, un courage d apotres, et
une saintete" digne des vrais enfants de saint Igna ce.

Votre Reverence me permettra bien de parcourir
un peu toutes les parties de notre Amerique, et apres
avoir parle du dehors et des Missions les plus eloi-
gnees, je parlerai du dedans et de celles qui sont
proches; car partout je ne trouve que du bien dire
et des saints a admirer.

Pour commencer par le Nord, Votre ReV^rence
sait que le P. Charles Albanel partit il y a un an pour
faire un second voyage a la mer du Nord, arm d y
cultiver beaucoup de Chretiens qu il y a baptises, et
d en augmenter le nombre. II a hivern6 en chemin
a plus de cent lieues d ici, mais ce n a pas et6 sans
beaucoup souffrir. Car outre la famine et les autres

1673-77J DABLON TO PINETTE 66

Letter of Father Claude Dablon, Superior of the
Missions of Canada and rector of Que
bec, to Reverend Father Pinette,
Provincial of France.

QUEBEC, the 24th of October, 1674.

MY REVEREND FATHER,
Pax Christi.

I address this letter to Your Reverence to
give you general information of the state of all our
Missions. From the little that I write, you will
have the consolation of seeing that the name of Jesus
Christ resounds throughout all our forests, and that
he is adored or, at least, is acknowledged by all
these tribes ; for our Fathers labor among them with
ineffable zeal, a courage worthy of apostles, and a
holiness befitting the true children of saint Ignatius.

Your Reverence will permit me to refer, in a few
words, to all parts of our America; and, after speaking
of outside countries and of the most distant Missions,
I shall speak of this country itself, and of the mis
sions that are near us, for I find everywhere nothing
but good to say and saints to admire. 9

To begin at the North, Your Reverence knows
that Father Charles Albanel started a year ago on a
second voyage to the Northern sea, in order to minis
ter to many Christians whom he baptized there, and
to increase their number. He wintered on the road
at a place over one hundred leagues from here, but

66 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

miseres qui sont ordinaires en ces sortes d hiverne-
ments ; apres avoir depense* tout ce qu il avait port6
pour vivre, s en servant pour gagner et conserver ses
Sauvages ; apres avoir et6 longtemps couche" sur terre,
sans pouvoir remuer a cause d une chute facheuse, il
a e*te" abandonne des Sauvages qui le devaient con-
duire, et des Frangais qui le devaient accompagner.
Nonobstant tout cela, ayant de plus appris que les
Anglais s e"taient rendus par mer dans 1 endroit
meme ou il allait, qu ils s y e*taient fortifies, et mena-
caient de le tuer s il se hasardait ay venir; nonob-
stant tout cela, dis-je, ce ge ne reux missionnaire, qui
a plus de soixante ans, et qui est tout casse" par ses
anciens travaux, et surtout par ceux de son dernier
voyage, n a pas laisse* de poursuivre son chemin, ne
s appuyant que sur la Providence, et s abandonnant
a mille et mille dangers qu il preVoyait, tant il a de
zele pour le salut de ses cheres ouailles et pour la
gloire du nom de J^sus- Christ, qu il veut porter a
diverses nations qui sont sur les cotes de cette mer
lointaine, et qui n en ont jamais entendu parler.

Apres les heureuses tentatives faites, il y a deux
ans, par le P. Albanel, pour manager un acces plus
facile vers la mer du Nord, on attendait de notre
part de nouvelles entreprises pour de"couvrir la mer
du Midi. C est ce qu a fait cette anne"e le P. Mar-
quette, qui, apres avoir pouss6 sa course jusqu au
33 e degre" d e*levation, en est revenu heureusement le
printemps passe". II tient pour certain, qu e"tant
descendu pendant plusieurs jours le grand fleuve
qu il a decouvert, il est arrive dans la Floride, et
que s il eut continue a descendre encore quarante ou
cinquante lieues, il aurait rencontre" le golfe du
Mexique.

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 67

not without great suffering. For, in addition to
famine and the other hardships which usually accom
pany such winterings, after having consumed all
the provisions that he had brought, making use of
them to win and to retain his Savages ; after having
slept for a long while on the ground without being
able to stir, owing to an unfortunate fall, he was
abandoned by the Savages who were to guide, and by
the French who were to accompany him. Notwith
standing all this, when he learned that the English
also had proceeded by sea to the very place where
he was going; that they had fortified themselves
there, and threatened to kill him if he ventured
thither, notwithstanding all this, I say, that noble
missionary, who is over sixty years of age and is
quite worn out by his former labors and, above
all, by the fatigues of his last voyage did not fail
to continue his journey. He relied solely upon
Providence, and exposed himself to a thousand dan
gers that he foresaw such is his zeal for the salva
tion of his beloved flock, and for the glory of the
name of Jesus Christ, which he wishes to bear to
various nations on the shores of that distant sea who
have never heard it.

After the successful attempts made, two years ago,
by Father Albanel to secure easier access to the
Northern sea, fresh enterprises were expected on
our part for the discovery of the Southern sea.
This was done this year by Father Marquette, who,
after extending his journey to the 3 3rd degree of
latitude, came back safely last spring. He regards
it as certain that, after descending for several days
the great river that he discovered, he arrived in
Florida; and that, if he had continued to descend

68

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Ce Pere, depuis son retour, est reste dans le pays
des Outaouais, pour etre tout pret a etablir des Mis
sions chez les Illinois, qui sont les plus proches et
les plus dociles parmi les peuples qu il a decouverts.
S il ne retourne pas vers eux des cette anne"e, ce sera
parce que nous ne devons pas abandonner ceux
que nous avons commence d instruire.

Nos autres missionnaires des Outaouais travaillent,
chacun a leurs Missions, saintement et utilement.
Us ont baptise, depuis un an, plus de cinq cents inn-
deles, et le seul P. Bailloquet a baptise cet 6t6, en
deux mois, une centaine d enfants et quelques
adultes, dont la moitie du moins est assure~e pour le
paradis. II a fait cette re*colte pendant que les Sau-
vages, avec qui il etait, faisaient celle de certains
petits fruits bleus dont eux et le Pere ont vcu
pendant ces deux mois.

Nous avons chez les Outaouais trois residences
ou trois maisons fixes ou Ton vit regulierement, et
ou les Peres, qui travaillent dans les Missions, se
retirent de temps en temps pour reprendre haleine.
La premiere est situe"e au bout de la baie des Puants,
sous le nom de Mission de Saint- Franjois-Xavier;
sont attaches a cette maison, le P. Allouez, ce saint
et veritable missionnaire ; le P. Marquette, dont je
viens de parler, et le P. Louis Andre, qui fait de
grands fruits par sa Constance et par son assiduite"
infatigables. Le P. Silvy a ete envoye cette anne"e
a leur secours avec un de nos Freres coadjuteurs,
pour avoir le soin de cette maison en ce qui regarde
le temporel. Les Peres ne s y arretent presque
point, etant tous dans les Missions auxquelles ils
donnent tout leur temps, afin d y etablir solidement
le Christianisme.

173-77J DABLON TO PINETTE 69

forty or fifty leagues farther, he would have reached
the gulf of Mexico.

Since his return, that Father has remained in the
country of the Outaouais, that he may be fully pre
pared to establish Missions among the Illinois, the
nearest and the most docile of the tribes that he has
discovered. Should he not return to them this year,
it will be because we must not abandon those whom
we have begun to instruct.

Our other missionaries among the Outaouais labor
holily and usefully, each in his Mission. Within a
year, they have baptized more than five hundred
infidels ; and, this summer, Father Bailloquet alone
baptized in two months a hundred children and some
adults, fully one-half of whom are sure of paradise.
He gathered this harvest while the Savages with
whom he was were gathering that of certain small
blue fruits, on which they and the Father lived during
those two months. 10

We have among the Outaouais three residences,
or three permanent dwellings, where we regularly
live, and to which the Fathers who labor in those
Missions repair from time to time, to take breath for a
while. The first is situated at the end of the bay des
Puants, and is called the Mission of Saint Fra^ois
Xavier. To this house are attached : Father Allouez,
that holy and true missionary ; Father Marquette, of
whom I have just spoken; and Father Louis Andre",
whose indefatigable constancy and assiduity produce
abundant fruits. This year, Father Silvy n was sent
to their assistance, with one of our lay Brethren,
who was to take charge of that house as regards
temporal matters. The Fathers hardly ever remain
there for they are all engaged in the Missions, to

70 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

La seconde maison est pres du lac Huron, a 1 en-
droit oft se trouve la Mission de Saint- Ignace, et ofc
sont reunis des Hurons et des Algonquins. Le P.
Philippe Pierson est charge" des premiers, et s y est
fort bien pris pour mettre parmi eux le Christianisme
en honneur; s il persevere comme il a commence", il
ne se peut rien de mieux.

La troisieme maison est celle de Sainte- Marie du
Sault, oft reside habituellement le P. Henri Nouvel,
sup6rieur de toutes ces Missions; c est un homme de
vertu, et tout apostolique. Le P. Gabriel Dreuil-
lettes y demeure aussi ; son grand age et ses infirmi-
tes ne diminuent rien de son zele. C est par son
moyen que Dieu a opere grand nombre de mer-
veilles dans la gu6rison des malades, et autres choses
extraordinaires, par 1 efficace de 1 eau benite et par
les merites de saint Fran9ois-Xavier. Le P. Baillo-
quet se rend aussi en ce lieu de temps en temps;
mais le plus souvent il demeure avec les Algonquins
du lac Huron et de Nipissing. C est lui qui, comme
je 1 ai dit, a ve*cu cet 6t6, pendant deux mois, avec
plus de mille Sauvages, de petits fruits qu on appelle
ici des bleuets, qui ne croissent que sur les rochers
ou terres pierreuses; et pendant ce temps-la, il a
baptis6 une centaine d enfants au-dessous de deux
ans, dont une bonne partie 6taient murs pour le ciel.
Nous avons aussi, a Sainte-Marie, un de nos Freres
coadjuteurs, qui a soin du temporel de cette maison,
laquelle a ete brulee une seconde fois par suite d une
rixe sanglante oh plus de quarante Sauvages se sont
cruellement ^gorges les uns les autres. C est mer-
veille que deux des notres qui etaient la n ont point
6t6 envelopp6s dans cette boucherie. Le diable a

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 71

which they devote all their time, that they may
solidly establish Christianity therein.

The second house is near lake Huron, at the place
where the Mission of Saint Ignace is situated, where
Hurons and Algonquins are gathered together. Fa
ther Philippe Pierson has charge of the former, and
has done excellent work in bringing Christianity into
vogue among them ; and if he persevere as he has
begun, nothing can be better.

The third house is that of Sainte Marie du Sault,
where Father Henri Nouvel, the superior of all these
Missions, habitually resides; he is a virtuous and
truly apostolic man. Father Gabriel Dreuillettes also
resides there; his great age and his infirmities do
not in the least diminish his zeal. Through his in
strumentality, God has worked a great many wonders
in the cure of the sick, and in other extraordinary
things, by the efficacy of holy water and by the
merits of saint Francis Xavier. Father Bailloquet
also proceeds there, from time to time ; but, as a rule,
he lives with the Algonquins of lakes Huron and
Nipissing. He it is who, as I have related, lived for
two months this summer, with more than a thousand
Savages, on small fruits here called bluets [ blueber
ries "], which grow only on rocks or in rocky soil ; and
during that time he baptized a hundred children
under two years of age, a goodly number of whom
were ripe for heaven. We have also at Sainte
Marie one of our lay Brethren; he has temporal
charge of that house, which was burned a second
time in consequence of a sanguinary affray, in which
over forty Savages cruelly slaughtered one another.
It is a wonder that two of ours, who were there,
were not included in that butchery. The devil

T2 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

suscite" ce malheur pour renverser cette Mission, ou
du moins pour empecher le bien qui s y faisait; mais
j espere que tout tournera a sa confusion.

Apres avoir vu ce qui s est fait au Nord et au Midi,
nous pouvons jeter les yeux sur le Levant, je veux
dire sur 1 Acadie, ou le P. Jean Pierron a hiverne
pour y assister les Franais, dont le spirituel e"tait
abandonne depuis longtemps, mais bien plus encore
pour voir s il y avait moyen d etablir quelques Mis
sions pour les Sauvages de ces quartiers-la. Pendant
cet hivernement, il a pris son temps et parcouru
toute la Nouvelle-Angleterre, la Marilande et la Vir-
ginie, et n a trouve" partout que desolation et qu abo-
mination parmi ces he retiques qui ne veulent pas
meme baptiser les enfants et encore moins les
adultes. II a rencontre" des personnes de 30 et 40
ans, et meme jusqu a dix et douze personnes en une
seule maison, qui n avaient pas re$u le bapteme. II
a confe re ce sacrement et les autres a peu de per
sonnes a cause de leur obstination ; il a eu cependant
le bonheur de preparer un he re tique a faire son
abjuration. Enfin, il a eu quelques conferences avec
les ministres de Boston (capitale de la Nouvelle-
Angleterre), ou il a ete fort estim6, et oti on parle
encore de lui avec honneur. Quoiqu il fut travesti,
on se doutait pourtant bien qu il 6tait Je"suite a cause
de la science peu commune qu il faisait paraitre ; et
c est pour cela qu il a 6t6 cite" au Parlement; mais il
n y a point comparu. II a trouv6 dans la Marilande
deux de nos Peres et un Frere anglais: les Peres
habilles en gentilshommes, et le Frere en me tayer;
atissi a-t-il soin d une metairie qui sert a soutenir les
deux missionnaires. Us travaillent avec succes pour

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 73

brought about that misfortune, in order to overthrow
the Mission or, at least, to hinder the good that was
done in it ; but I trust that everything will turn to
his confusion.

After observing what has been done in the North
and in the South, we may cast our eyes upon the
East, I mean Acadia, where Father Jean Pierron
spent the winter. He did so, in order to assist the
French, whose spiritual welfare had long been neg
lected ; but still more to ascertain whether it would
be possible to establish Missions for the Savages
of that quarter. 12 While wintering there, he took a
favorable opportunity, and went through the whole
of New England, Maryland, and Virginia, where he
found naught but desolation and abomination among
the heretics, who will not even baptize the children,
and still less the adults. He saw persons 30 and 40
years old, and even as many as ten and twelve per
sons in a single house, who had not received baptism.
He administered that sacrament and the others to
but few persons, on account of their obstinacy ; he
had, however, the happiness of preparing a heretic
to make his abjuration. Finally, he had some con
ferences with the ministers of Boston (the capital of
New England), where he was greatly esteemed, and
where he is still spoken of with honor. Although
he was disguised, it was nevertheless suspected that
he was a Jesuit, owing to the unusual knowledge
that he displayed. For that reason, he was cited
before the Parliament, but he did not appear before
it. In Maryland, he found two of our Fathers and a
Brother, who are English, the Fathers being dressed
like gentlemen, and the Brother like a farmer; in
fact, he has charge of a farm, which serves to support

74

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

la reduction des here"tiques du pays, ou de fait il y a
beaucoup de catholiques, et entre autres le gouver-
neur. Comme ces deux Peres ne suffisent pas seuls,
le P. Pierron s offre volontiers a les aller assister, et
en meme temps a etablir une Mission parmi les
Sauvages voisins, dont il sait la langue. Mais cette
entreprise souffre bien des difficultes et me parait
impossible, soit parce que c est une Mission qui
appartient a nos Peres anglais, et ce serait a eux a
demander eux-memes le secours du P. Pierron, soit
parce qu elle depend d une autre Assistance et que
le Pere ne desire pas sortir de celle de France ; soit
enfin, parce qu il faut un fonds considerable pour
commencer et continuer ce dessein. Cependant, le
P. Pierron est retourne en Mission chez les Iroquois
avec de tres-saintes dispositions; c est un homme de
grande et rare vertu.

Puisque nous en sommes aux Iroquois, Votre
Reverence entendra volontiers un mot des mission-
naires de ce pays-la.

Le P. Jacques Bruyas, qui en est le superieur, a
autant de zele que de prudence. II demeure ordi-
nairement a Agnie, ou il a eu beaucoup a souffrir de
la part des Hollandais, voisins de cette bourgade. II
a meme ete oblige de se cacher pour se derober aux
mauvais desseins que ces he"re"tiques avaient sur lui.
Mais il semble que ces oppositions n ont servi qu a
toucher davantage le cceur des Sauvages qui se con-
vertissent plus que jamais et dont le plus considerable
a e"te" baptise* depuis peu et a renonce publiquement
a ses superstitions. Nous en esperons beaucoup, il
m a promis qu il va travailler fortement a la conver
sion de ses compatriotes.

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 75

the two missionaries. They labor successfully
for the reduction of the heretics of the country,
where there are, in truth, many catholics, among
others the governor. 13 As these two Fathers alone
do not suffice, Father Pierron cheerfully offers to go
and assist them, and at the same time to establish a
Mission among the neighboring Savages, with whose
language he is familiar. But there are many
obstacles to this project, which seems to me impos
sible of execution because it is a Mission belonging
to our English Fathers, who should themselves ask
for Father Pierron s aid; because it is within another
Assistancy, and the Father does not wish to leave
that of France ; 14 and, finally, because a considerable
sum is needed to commence and carry out the
project. Meanwhile, Father Pierron has returned to
the Mission among the Iroquois, with very holy
intentions ; he is a man of great and rare virtue.

Since we are speaking of the Iroquois, Your
Reverence will be glad to hear a word about the mis
sionaries of that country.

Father Jacques Bruyas, the superior, is as zealous
as he is prudent. He usually resides at Agnie",
where he has had much to suffer from the Dutch,
who are the neighbors of that village. He has even
been compelled to hide, in order to save himself
from the evil designs which those heretics entertain
toward him. However, it seems that this opposition
has served but to touch still more deeply the hearts
of the Savages, who are being converted in greater
numbers than ever; and the most notable man
among them was recently baptized, and publicly
renounced his superstitions. We expect a great deal
from him ; he has promised me that he will work

7 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

Dans le bourg le plus proche, qui est Onnei out
habite le P. Millet a qui Dieu donne une benediction
toute particuliere, et telle que les Sauvages de ce
bourg, qui etaient les plus fiers et les plus eloigne"s
de la Foi, sont devenus les plus traitables, et detnan-
dent tous a etre Chretiens. On y fait publiquement
toutes les fonctions du Christianisme, et il y a en
cela quelque chose de bien surprenant.

Vient ensuite le bourg d Onnontague, qui a pour
apotre le P. Jean de Lamberville. C est lui qui s est
immole si genereusement pour le salut de ces
Missions, et qui s y emploie avec bien du courage
et de la Constance.

Plus loin on rencontre le bourg d Oiogouin, ou
demeure le P. de Carheil. Ce saint homme est d un
zele apostolique qui ne trouve pas que ces Sauvages
correspondent a ses soins ; mais je crois qu il demande
d eux trop de vertu pour les commencements. S il
n en sanctifie pas autant qu il voudrait, il est bien
certain qu il s y sanctifie lui-meme d une bonne fagon,
aussi bien que les PP. Gamier et Raffeix dans les
bourgs des Sonnontouans qui sont les plus eloignes
de nous et qui semblent 1 etre aussi de la Foi.
Cependant ces deux braves missionnaires ne laissent
pas de faire bien des conquetes sur 1 enfer. C est a
eux que le P. Pierron s est alle joindre pour prendre
soin d une grosse bourgade a laquelle nous n avons
pas pu pourvoir jusqu a present. Je dois dire ici en
particulier a V. R. quelque chose de ce Pere qui la
consolera et qui montre sa grande vertu. Avant que
de partir pour retourner aux Iroquois, pour lesquels
il a une repugnance naturelle tres-grande et qu il
surmonte neanmoins tres-gene reusement, il est venu

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 77

energetically for the conversion of his countrymen.

In the nearest village, Onneiout, dwells Father
Millet, upon whom God confers a most special bless
ing; and so great is it that the Savages of that
village, who were the most arrogant and the most
averse to the Faith, have become the most tractable,
and all ask to become Christians. All the exercises
of Christianity are openly practiced, and in this there
is something indeed astonishing.

Then comes the village of Onnontagu6 whose
apostle is Father Jean de Lamberville. He it is who
so nobly sacrificed himself for the salvation of these
Missions, and who labors therein with much courage
and constancy.

Farther on is the village of Oiogouin, where
Father de Carheil resides. The apostolic zeal of that
holy man is such that he does not find that the Sav
ages respond to his efforts ; but I think that he exacts
too much virtue from them at the beginning. If he
does not sanctify as many of them as he would wish,
it is certain that he sanctifies himself in a proper
manner. So also do Fathers Gamier and Raffeix in
the villages of the Sonnontouans, who are the farth
est from us, and who also seem to be as remote from
the Faith. Nevertheless, these two brave mission
aries fail not to win many victories over hell.
Father Pierron has gone to join them, to take
charge of a large village for which we have hitherto
been unable to provide. I must here mention in
confidence to Your Reverence something about that
Father, which will console you and which proves
his great virtue. Before leaving us to return among
the Iroquois, for whom he has a very great natural
repugnance, which he very bravely overcomes, he

78 LES RELATIONS DESJESUITES [Vol.. 59

me trouver; puis s etant mis a genoux dans mon
cabinet, la tete nue et les mains jointes, voulant que
je fusse couvert et assis, il m a demande a faire deux
vceux : le premier, de ne repliquer jamais quoi que ce
soit aux ordres de ses superieurs, et de ne rien
proposer qui y soit contraire ; le second, par lequel
il s oblige de ne retourner jamais en France, ni de le
procurer en aucune fa9on. Je ne lui ai pas permis
le premier, mais bien le second, selon 1 intention de
1 ob^issance ; ensuite il m a remercie de ce que j avais
tenu ferme pour le renvoyer aux Iroquois, parce que
j avais agi en cela centre ses propres sentiments.

Je ne dois pas omettre de dire quelque chose des
quartiers de Tadoussac ou travaille, hiver et ete\ le P.
de Crepieul qui est un veritable apotre. II a fait ici
sa profession, le jour de I Assomption derniere, ayant
mieux aime" differer jusqu a ce temps-la que de perdre
1 occasion d hiverner avec ses chers Sauvages. II
tombe malade quand je le rappelle ici quelque temps
pour se reposer, et n est pas plus tot rentre dans les
travaux de sa mission qu il revient en sante. II m a
prie de lui permettre d aller lui-meme cette annee
avec des peuples fort eloignes d ici, nommes les Mis-
tassins; c est a quoi il se dispose pour le moment, et
comme il est aussi demande par deux autres nations,
il ira les instruire pendant 1 ete".

Nous avons deux autres Eglises pres de nous qui se
conservent toujours dans leur splendeur premiere, et
dont la vertu est de tres-bonne odeur. L une est celle
de la prairie de la Magdeleine pres de Montreal ; la
ferveur, la piete et les autres vertus chretiennes des
habitants font 1 admiration des Frangais et des
Sauvages; et certes, c est chose merveilleuse de voir

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 79

came to me and, kneeling in my room with bare
head and clasped hands, desiring me to remain cov
ered and seated, he asked me for permission to make
two vows: the first, ever to comply tmquestioningly
with the orders of his superiors, and never propose
anything contrary to them ; the second, to bind him
self never to return to France, or to secure that
privilege in any way. I would not permit the
former, but I allowed the latter, in so far as was
consistent with obedience. He afterward thanked
me for firmly adhering to my intention of sending
him among the Iroquois, because in that I had acted
against his own feelings.

I must not forget to say something about the
Tadoussac mission wherein Fatherde Crepieul, who is
a true apostle, labors summer and winter. He made
his profession here on last Assumption day, for he
preferred to postpone it until then, rather than lose
the opportunity of wintering among his beloved Sav
ages. He falls ill when I recall him here to rest for
a little while; and no sooner has he returned to the
labors of his mission, than he is restored to health.
He begged me to allow him to go himself this year
to tribes very distant from here, named Mistassins.
He is preparing for this at present ; and, as he is
also asked for by two other tribes, he will go and
instruct them during the summer.

We have two other Churches near us, which ever
preserve their pristine splendor, and whose virtue is
of the sweetest odor. One is that of la prairie de la
Magdeleine, near Montreal ; the fervor, piety, and
other Christian virtues of the inhabitants are the
admiration of both French and Savages ; and assuredly
it is a wonderful thing to see how these good neophytes

80 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

comment ces bons neophytes ont su vivre jusqu k
present dans tine rare innocence. Aussi sont-ils
gouvernes par le P. Jacques Fremin, que je puis dire
avec verite* etre tin de nos plus habiles et de nos plus
saints missionnaires. J ai fait lire dernierement an
refectoire une relation qu il m a envoye"e sur les
vertus de ces Sauvages. Cette lecture a tire les
larmes des yeux de la plupart des notres, tant la piete"
de ces nouveaux Chretiens est touchante !

L autre Eglise est celle des Hurons, pres de
Quebec, sous la direction du P. Chaumonot qui est
un parfait missionnaire. Nous achevons d y batir
pour ces bons Hurons une Eglise sous le nom de
Notre- Dame de Lorette. Elle est toute semblable a
celle d ltalie et va devenir un lieu de grande devotion
en ce pays ; et de fait, on y vient d6ja en pelerinage
de toutes parts, et on est ravi de voir la sainte camine,
la fenetre par ou Tange entra, les armoires de la
Vierge et le reste de ce qui se voit dans la sainte
maison de Notre-Dame de Lorette en Italie.

Voilk en peu de mots ce qui regarde l 6tat de nos
Missions, dans lesquelles il semble que c est assez
d y etre occupe pour devenir saint, tant les emplois
en sont apostoliques, et tant aussi sont extraordi-
naires les graces que Dieu accorde k de si g6nereux
ouvriers. La vie qu ils menent au-dehors est des
plus miserables. Imaginez ce que c est que d etre
toujours avec des barbares dont il faut souffrir mille
emportements, renferme la plupart du temps dans
des cabanes ou on est aveugle* parlafume"e; d etre
expose" h mille dangers, ou des eaux ou de la barbaric
des Sauvages et de leur ivrognerie ; de vivre de rien,
pour ainsi dire, et de travailler sans relache; et

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 81

have hitherto lived in rare innocence. In fact, they
are governed by Father Jacques Fre"min whom I
may safely call one of our ablest and most saintly
missionaries. I recently caused to be read aloud in
the refectory a relation that he sent me, regarding
the virtues of those Savages. It brought tears to
the eyes of most of our fathers, so touching is the
piety of these new Christians.

The other Church is that of the Hurons near Que
bec, under the direction of Father Chaumonot, who
is a perfect missionary. We are finishing the con
struction of a Church for these good Hurons, under
the name of Notre Dame de Lorette. It is exactly
the same as that in Italy, and will become a place of
great devotion in the country; in fact, the people
already come to it on pilgrimages from all parts, and
they are delighted to see the holy chimney, the win
dow through which the angel entered, the Virgin s
cupboards, and all that is to be seen in the holy
house of Our Lady of Loretto in Italy.

Such, in a few words, is what relates to the state
of our Missions ; apparently, to be occupied in these
is to become a saint, so apostolic are their occupa
tions, and so extraordinary also the favors that God
grants to laborers so courageous. The life that they
lead is outwardly most wretched. Imagine what it
is to be always with barbarians, whose numberless
fits of anger one must endure ; to be shut up, most of
the time, in cabins where one s eyes are blinded by
smoke ; to be exposed to a thousand dangers, either
from the waters, or from the barbarity or drunken
ness of the Savages ; to live on nothing, as it were,
and toil without cessation. Yet, notwithstanding all
this, the greatest displeasure that I could cause any

82 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES \ VOL. 59

nonobstant tout cela, le plus grand deplaisir que je
puisse faire a qui que ce soit d entre eux, serait de
le rappeler ici pour y vivre un peu plus commode"-
ment; et tous les souhaits de ceux qui sont ici sont
d aller participer aux travaux et aux merites de ces
apotres. Je recommande les uns et les autres, et
moi par-dessus tous, aux Saints Sacrifices de Votre
Re"ve"rence, e"tant

Votre tres-humble et tres-obe"issant . . .

CLAUDE DABLON, J.

1673-77] DABLON TO PINETTE 83

one of them would be to recall him here, to live a
little more comfortably; while the sole desire of
those who are here is to go and share the labors and
the merits of those apostles. I recommend every
one of them, and above all myself, to the Holy
Sacrifices of Your Reverence ; and I am

Your very humble and very obedient . . .

CLAUDE DABLON, J.

CXXXVI CXXXVIII

VOYAGES DU P. JACQUES MARQUETTE,

1673 -

CXXXVI. Le premier Voyage qu a fait le P. Marquette
vers le nouueau Mexique ; [Baye des
Puants, 1674]

CXXXVII. Journal incomplet, adresse au R. P. Dablon ;
n.p., [1675]

CXXXVIII. Recit du second voyage et de la mort du P.
Jacques Marquette ; [Quebec, 1677]

SOURCES : These documents are published by us from
the original MSS. by Marquette and Dablon, which rest in the
archives of St. Mary s College, Montreal.

86 LES RELATIONS DES js UITES [Vot. 69

Le premier Voyage qu a fait Le P. Marquette

vers le nouueau Mexique & Comment

s en est forme le defsein.

IL y auoit longtemps que le Pere premeditoit Cette
Entreprise, porte" d un tres ardent desir d es-
tendre le Royaume de J. Ch. et de le faire Con-
noistre et adorer par tons les peuples de ce pays. II
se voioit Comme a la porte de ces notmelles Nations,
lorsque de"s l anne"e 1670 il trauailloit en la Mifsion
de la pointe du s 1 . Esprit qui est a I extremite" du lac
superieur aux outaoiiacs, il voioit mesme quelquefois
plusieurs, de ces nouueaux peuples, desquels il pre-
noit toutes les Connoissances qu il pouuoit, c est ce qui
luy a fait faire plusieurs efforts pour commencer cette
entreprise, mais tousiour inutilement, et mesme il
auoit perdu 1 esperance d en venir about lorsque Dieu
luy en fit naistre cette occasion.

En L annee 1673 M r . Le Compte De Frontenac
Nostre Gouuerneur, et M r . Talon alors Nostre Inten-
dant, Connoissant L Importance de cette decouuerte,
soit pour chercher vn passage d icy jusqua la mer de
la Chine, par la riuiere qui se de"charge a la Mer
Vermeille ou Californie, soit qu on voulu s asseurer
de ce qu on a dit du depuis, touchant les 2 Royaumes
le Theguai o Et de Quiuira, Limitroph.es du Canada,
ou Ton tient que les mines d or sont abondantes, ces
Messieurs, dis-ie, nommerent en mesme temps pour
Cette entreprise Le Sieur Jolyet quils jugerent tres

JET S MAP,

om Revue de Ge

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 87

Of the first Voyage made by Father Marquette

toward new Mexico, and How the

idea thereof was conceived.

THE Father had long premeditated This Under
taking, influenced by a most ardent desire to
extend the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and to
make him Known and adored by all the peoples of
that country. He saw himself, As it were, at the
door of these new Nations when, as early as the year
1670, he was laboring in the Mission at the point of
st. Esprit, at the extremity of lake superior, among
the outaouacs; he even saw occasionally various per
sons belonging to these new peoples, from whom he
obtained all the Information that he could. This
induced him to make several efforts to commence this
undertaking, but ever in vain ; and he even lost all
hope of succeeding therein, when God brought about
for him the following opportunity.

In The year 1673, Monsieur The Count De Fron-
tenac, Our Governor, and Monsieur Talon, then Our
Intendant, Recognizing The Importance of this
discovery, either that they might seek a passage
from here to the sea of China, by the river that
discharges into the Vermillion, or California Sea; or
because they desired to verify what has for some
time been said concerning the 2 Kingdoms of The-
guaio And Quiuira, which Border on Canada, and
in which numerous gold mines are reported to exist,
these Gentlemen, I say, appointed at the same time

88 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

propres pour vn si grand dessein, estant bien aise
que Le P. Marquette fut de la partie.

II ne se tromperent pas dans le choix quils firent
du S r . Jolyet, Car c estoit un jeune homme natif de
ce pays, qui a pour vn tel dessein tous les aduantages
qu on peut souhaiter; II a L experience, et La
Connoissance des Langues du Pays des Outaoiiacs, ou
il a passe" plusieurs anne"es, il a la Conduitte et la
sagesse qui sont les principales parties pour faire
reussir vn voyage egalement dangereux et difficile.
Enfin il a le Courage pour ne rien apprehender, ou
tout est a Craindre, aussi a-t-il remply L attente
qu on auoit de luy, et si apres auoir passe mille sortes
de dangers, il ne fut venu malheureusement faire
nauffrage au port, son Canot ayant tourne au dessous
du sault de s 1 . Loiiys proche de Montreal, ou il a
perdu et ses homines et ses papiers, et d ou il n a
eschap6 que par vne espece de Miracle, il ne laissoit
rien a souhaiter au succez de son Voyage.

SECTION I ERE . DEPART DU P. IACQUES MARQUETTE

POUR L A DECOUUERTE DE LA GRANDEJUUIERE

APPELLEE PAR LES SAUUAGES MISSISIPI QUI

CONDUIT AU NOUUEAU MEXIQUE.

LE jour de L/IMMACULEE CONCEPTION de la S TB .
VIERGE, que I auois tousjour Inuoque"e depuisque
je suis en ce pays des outaoiiacs, pour obtenir de Dieu
la grace de pouuoir visiter les Nations qui sont sur
la Riuiere de Missis[i]pi, fut justement Celuy auquel
arriua M r . Jollyet auec les ordres de M r . le Comte de
frontenac Nostre Gouuerneur et de M r . Talon Nostre
Intendant, pour faire auec moy Cette decouuerte. Je
fus d autant plus rauy de Cette bonne nouuelle, que
je voiois que mes desseins alloient 6tre accomplis, et

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 89

for This undertaking Sieur Jolyet, whom they
considered very fit for so great an enterprise; and
they were well pleased that Father Marquette should
be of the party. 15

They were not mistaken in the choice that they
made of Sieur Jolyet, For he is a young man, born
in this country, who possesses all the qualifications
that could be desired for such an undertaking. He
has experience and Knows the Languages spoken in
the Country of the Outaouacs, where he has passed
several years. He possesses Tact and prudence,
which are the chief qualities necessary for the
success of a voyage as dangerous as it is difficult.
Finally, he has the Courage to dread nothing where
everything is to be Feared. Consequently, he has
fulfilled all The expectations entertained of him ; and
if, after having passed through a thousand dangers,
he had not unfortunately been wrecked in the very
harbor, his Canoe having upset below sault st. Louys,
near Montreal, where he lost both his men and his
papers, and whence he escaped only by a sort of
Miracle, nothing would have been left to be desired
in the success of his Voyage.

SECTION 1ST. DEPARTURE OF FATHER JACQUES

MARQUETTE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT

RIVER CALLED BY THE SAVAGES MISSISIPI,

WHICH LEADS TO NEW MEXICO.

THE feast of The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the
BLESSED VIRGIN whom I have always Invoked
since I have been in this country of the outaouacs,
to obtain from God the grace of being able to visit
the Nations who dwell along the Missisipi River
was precisely the Day on which Monsieur Jollyet

90 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

que je me trouuois dans tine heureuse necessity d ex-
poser ma vie pour le salut de tous ces peuples, et parti-
culierement pour les Ilinois qui m auoient prie auec
beaucoup d instance lorsque J estois a la pointe du s 1 .
Esprit de leur porter chez Eux la parole de Dieu.

Nous ne fusmes pas long- temps a preparer tout
nostre Equippage, quoy que nous nous Engageas-
sions en vn voyage dont nous ne pouuions pas preuoir
la dure"e; Du Bled D Inde auec quelque viande bou-
cane"e, furent toutes nos prouisions, auec lesqu elles
nous nous Embarquammes sur 2 Canotz d Ecorce,
M r . Jollyet et moy, auec 5 hommes, bien resolus a
tout faire et a tout souffrir pour une si glorieuse
Entreprise.

Ce fut done Le 17*. jour de may 1673 que nous
partimes de la Mission de s 1 . Ignace a Michilimakinac,
ou j estois pour Lors; La Joye que nous auions d etre
choisis pour Cette Expedition, animoit nos Courages
et nous rendoit agreables les peines que nous auions
a ramer depuis le matin jusqu au soir; et parceque
Nous allions chercher des pays Inconnus, Nous
apportammes toutes les precautions que nous pumes,
affinque si nostre Entreprise estoit hazardeuse elle ne
fut pas temeraire ; pour ce suject nous primes toutes
les Connoissances que nous pumes des sauuages qui
auoient frequente ces endroicts la, et mesme nous
tracames sur leur raport une Carte de tout ce Nou-
ueau pays; nous y fimes marquer les riuieres, sur
lesquelles nous deuions nauiger, les noms des peuples
et des lieux par lesquels nous deuions passer, le
Cours de la grande Riuiere, et quels rund, deuions
tenir quand nous y serions.

Sur tout je mis nostre voyage soubs la protection
de la S te . Vierge Immacule e, luy promettant, que si

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 91

arrived with orders from Monsieur the Count de
frontenac, Our Governor, and Monsieur Talon, Our
Intendant, to accomplish This discovery with me.
I was all the more delighted at This good news,
since I saw that my plans were about to be accom
plished; and since I found myself in the blessed
necessity of exposing my life for the salvation of all
these peoples, and especially of the Ilinois, who
had very urgently entreated me, when I was at the
point of st. Esprit, to carry the word of God to Their
country.

We were not long in preparing all our Equipment,
although we were about to Begin a voyage, the dura
tion of which we could not foresee. Indian Corn,
with some smoked meat, constituted all our provi
sions; with these we Embarked Monsieur Jollyet
and myself, with 5 men in 2 Bark Canoes, fully
resolved to do and suffer everything for so glorious
an Undertaking.

Accordingly, on The i/th day of may, 1673, we
started from the Mission of st. Ignace at Michili-
makinac, where I Then was. The Joy that we felt
at being selected for This Expedition animated our
Courage, and rendered the labor of paddling from
morning to night agreeable to us. And because We
were going to seek Unknown countries, We took
every precaution in our power, so that, if our Under
taking were hazardous, it should not be foolhardy.
To that end, we obtained all the Information that
we could from the savages who had frequented those
regions; and we even traced out from their reports
a Map of the whole of that New country; on it
we indicated the rivers which we were to navigate,
the names of the peoples and of the places through

92 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

elle nous faisoit la grace de de"couurir la grande
Riuiere, Je luy donnerois Le Nom de la Conception
et que je ferois aussi porter ce nom a la premiere
Mission que j etablyrois chez Ces Nouueaux peuples,
ce que jay fait de vray chez les Ilinois.

SECTION 2 DE . LE PERE VISITE EN PASSANT LES PEU-

PLES DE LA FOLLE AUOINE, CE QUE c EST QUE

CETTE FOLLE AUOINE, IL ENTRE DANS LA BAYE

DES PUANTS, QUELQUES PARTICULARITEZ DE

CETTE BAYE, IL ARRIUE A LA NATION DU FEU.

AUEC toutes ces precautions nous faisons Joiier
Joyeusement les auirons, sur vne partie du Lac
huron et Celuy des Ilinois, et dans la baye des
Puants.

La premiere Nation que nous rencontrames, fut
Celle de la folle auoine, J entray dans Leur riuiere,
pour aller visiter ces peuples ausquels nous auons
presche" L Euangile depuis plusieurs annees, aussi
se trouve-t-il parmy Eux plusieurs bons chrestiens.

La folle auoine dont ils portent le nom, parcequelle
se trouve sur leurs terres est une sorte d herbe qui
croit naturellement dans les petites Riuieres dont le
fond est de vase, est dans les Lieux Marescageux;
elle est bien semblable a la folle auoine qui Croit
parmy nos bleds. Les epics sont sur des tuyeaux
noiie"s d Espace en Espace, ils sortent de 1 Eau vers
le mois de Juin, et vont tousjour montant jusqu a ce
qu ils surnagent de deux pieds Enuiron, Le grain
n est pas plus gros que Celuy de nos auoines, mais il
est vne fois plus long, aussi La farine en est t-elle
bien plus abondante. Voicy Comme les Sauuages la
Cueillent et la preparent pour la manger. Dans Le
mois de Septembre qui est le temps propre pour

1673-77] MARQ UETTE 5 FIRST VO YA GE 93

which we were to pass, the Course of the great
River, and the direction we were to follow when
we reached it.

Above all, I placed our voyage under the protec
tion of the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, promising
her that, if she granted us the favor of discovering
the great River, I would give it The Name of the
Conception, and that I would also make the first
Mission that I should establish among Those New
peoples, bear the same name. This I have actually
done, among the Ilinois. 16

SECTION 2ND. THE FATHER VISITS, IN PASSING, THE

TRIBES OF THE FOLLE AVOINE. WHAT THAT

FOLLE AVOINE IS. HE ENTERS THE BAY DBS

PUANTS; SOME PARTICULARS ABOUT THAT BAY.

HE ARRIVES AMONG THE FIRE NATION.

WITH all these precautions, we Joyfully Plied our
paddles on a portion of Lake huron, on That
of the Ilinois and on the bay des Puants.

The first Nation that we came to was That of the
folle avoine. I entered Their river, to go and visit
these peoples to whom we have preached The Gospel
for several years, in consequence of which, there
are several good Christians among Them.

The wild oat, whose name they bear because it is
found in their country, is a sort of grass, which
grows naturally in the small Rivers with muddy
bottoms, and in Swampy Places. It greatly resem
bles the wild oats that Grow amid our wheat. The
ears grow upon hollow stems, jointed at Intervals;
they emerge from the Water about the month of
June, and continue growing until they rise About
two feet above it. The grain is not larger than That

94 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Cette recolte, ils vont en Canot autrauers de Ces
champs de folle auoine, ils en secoiient les Epics de
part et d autre dans le Canot, a mesure quils auancent
le grain tombe aisement s il est meur, et En pen de
temps ils en font leur prouision : Mais pour le net-
toyer de la paille et le depouiller d une pellicule dans
laquelle il est Enferme ; ils le mettent secher a la
fumee; sur vn gril de bois soubs lequel ils entre-
tiennent vn petit feu, pendant quelques Jours, Et
lorsque L auoine est bien seche, ils la mettent dans
une Peau en forme de pouche, Laquelle ils enfoncent
dans vn trou fait a Ce dessein en terre, puis ils 1 a
pillent auec les pieds, tant et si fortement que La
grain s estant separe* de la paille, ils le vannent tres
aisement, apres quoy ils le pillent pour le reduire en
farine, ou mesme sans estre pille" ils le font Cuire
dans 1 eau, qu ils assaisonnent auec de la graisse, et
de Cette fa$on on trouue La folle auoine presque
aussi delicate, qu est le ris, quand on n y mette pas
de meillieur assaisonnement.

Je racontay a ces peuples de la folle auoine, Le
dessein que jauois d aller decouurir Ces nations
Esloigne"es pour les pouuoir Instruire des Mysteres
de Nostre S te . Religion ; Ils en furent Extremement
surpris, et firent tous leur possible pour m en dissiia-
der; Ils me representerent que je rencontrerois des
Nations qui ne pardonnent jamais aux Estrangers
ausqu els ils Cassent La teste sans aucun sujet; que
La guerre qui estoit allume e Entre Diuers peuples
qui estoient sur nostre Route, nous Exposoit a vn
autre danger manifeste d estre tuez par les bandes
de Guerriers qui sont tousjours en Campagne; que
la grande Riuiere est tres dangereuse, quand on n en
scait pas les Endroictz difficiles, qu elle estoit pleine

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 95

of our oats, but it is twice as long, and The meal
therefrom is much more abundant. /The Savages
Gather and prepare it for food as Follows. In The
month of September, which is the suitable time for
The harvest, they go in Canoes through These fields
of wild oats ; they shake its Ears into the Canoe, on
both sides, as they pass through. The grain falls
out easily, if it be ripe, and they obtain their supply
In a short time. But, in order to clean it from the
straw, and to remove it from a husk in which it is
Enclosed, they dry it in the smoke, upon a wooden
grating, under which they maintain a slow fire for
some Days. When The oats are thoroughly dry,
they put them in a Skin made into a bag, thrust It
into a hole dug in the ground for This purpose, and
tread it with their feet so long and so vigorously
that The grain separates from the straw, and is very
easily winnowed. After this, they pound it to
reduce it to flour, or even, without pounding it,
they Boil it in water, and season it with fat. Cooked
in This fashion, The wild oats have almost as deli
cate a taste as rice has when no better seasoning is
added.

I told these peoples of the folle avoine of My
design to go and discover Those Remote nations, in
order to Teach them the Mysteries of Our Holy
Religion. They were Greatly surprised to hear it,
and did their best to dissuade me. They repre
sented to me that I would meet Nations who never
show mercy to Strangers, but Break Their heads with
out any cause; and that war was kindled Between
Various peoples who dwelt upon our Route, which
Exposed us to the further manifest danger of being
killed by the bands of Warriors who are ever in the

96

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

de monstres effroyables, qui deuoroient les hommes et
les Canotz tout Ensemble; qu il y a mesme vn d6mon
qu on entend de fort loing qui en ferme le passage
et qui abysme ceux qui osent en approcher, Enfin que
les Chaleurs sont si excessiues En ces pays La
qu elles nous Causeroient La mort Infailliblement.

Je les remerciay de ces bons aduis qu ils me don-
noit, mais je leurs dis que je ne pouuois pas les
suiure, puis qu il s agissoit du salut des ames pour
lesquelles ie serois rauy de donner ma vie, que je
me moquois de ce demon pretendu, que nous nous
deffenderions bien de ces monstres marins, et qu ati
reste Nous Nous tienderions sur nos gardes pour
euiter les autres dangers donts ils nous menaoient.
Apres les auoir fait prier Dieu et leur auoir donne"
quelque Instruction, Je me separay d eux, et nous
estant Embarquez sur nos Canotz, Nous arriuames
peu de temps apres dans le fond de la Baye des
puantz, ou nos Peres trauaillent utilement a la
Conuersion de ces peuples, en ayant baptise* plus de
deux mille depuis qu ils y sont.

Cette baye porte vn Nom qui n a pas une si mau-
uaise signification en la langue des sauuages, Car ils
1 appellent plustost la baye sallee que la Baye des
Puans, quoyque parmy Eux ce soit presque le mesme ;
& c est aussi Le nom qu ils donnent a la Mer;
Ce qui nous a fait faire de tres exactes recherches
pour decouurir s il n y auoit pas en Ces quartiers
quelques fontaines d Eau saline, Comme il y en a
parmy les hiroquois; mais nous n en auons point
trouue. Nous jugeons done qu on luy a donne* Ce
nom a cause de quantite" de vase et de Boiie qui
s y rencontre, d ou s esleuent Continuellement de
meschantes vapeurs qui y Causent les plus grands

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 7

Field. They also said that the great River was very
dangerous, when one does not know the difficult
Places ; that it was full of horrible monsters, which
devoured men and Canoes Together ; that there was
even a demon, who was heard from a great distance,
who barred the way, and swallowed up all who ven
tured to approach him ; Finally that the Heat was so
excessive In those countries that it would Inevitably
Cause Our death.

I thanked them for the good advice that they gave
me, but told them that I could not follow it, because
the salvation of souls was at stake, for which I would
be delighted to give my life ; that I scoffed at the
alleged demon; that we would easily defend our
selves against those marine monsters ; and, moreover,
that We would be on our guard to avoid the other
dangers with which they threatened us. After mak
ing them pray to God, and giving them some Instruc
tion, I separated from them. Embarking then in
our Canoes, We arrived shortly afterward at the bot
tom of the Bay des puantz, where our Fathers labor
successfully for the Conversion of these peoples, over
two thousand of whom they have baptized while
they have been there.

This bay bears a Name which has a meaning not
so offensive in the language of the savages; For they
call it la baye saltte ["salt bay"] rather than
Bay des Puans, although with Them this is almost
the same and this is also The name which they give
to the Sea. This led us to make very careful re
searches to ascertain whether there were not some
salt- Water springs in This quarter, As there are
among the hiroquois, but we found none. We con
clude, therefore, that This name has been given to

98 LES RELATIONS DES JESUJTES [VOL. 59

et les plus Continuels Tonnerres, que jaye iamais
entendu.

La Baye a enuiron trente lieues de profondeur et
huict de large en son Commencement; elle va tous-
jour se retrecissant jusques dans le fond, on il est
ais6 de remarquer la maree qui a son flux et reflux
reg!6 presque Comme Celuy de la Mer. Ce n est
pas icy le lieu d examiner si ce sont les vrayes ma-
re"es, si elles sont Gausses par les ventz ou par qu el-
qu autre principe, s il y a des ventz qui sont Les
auantcoureurs de la Lune et attachez a sa suitte les-
quels par consequent agitent le lac et luy donnent
Comme son flux et reflux toutes les fois que la Lune
monte sur 1 horison. Ce que je peux dire de Certain
est que quand 1 eau est bien Calme, on la voit aisement
monter et descendre suivant le Cours de la lune, quoy-
que je ne nie pas que Ce mouuement ne puisse estre
Cause" par les Ventz qui sont bien Eloignez, et qui
pesant sur le milieu du lac font que les bords Croissent
et decroissent de la fagon qui paroit a nos yeux.

Nous quittames Cette baye pour entrer dans la
riuiere qui s y de*charge; elle est tres belle en son
Emboucheure, et coule doucement, elle est pleine
D outardes, de Canards de Cercelles et dautres
oyseaux qui y sont attirez par la folle auoine, dont
ils sont fort friants, mais quand on a vn peu auance"
dans cette riuiere, on la trouue tres difficile, tant a
cause des Courants que des Roches affile es, qui Coup-
pent les Canotz et les pieds de Ceux qui sont obliges
de les traisner, sur tout quand les Eaux sont basses.
Nous franchimes pourtant heureusement Ces rapides
et en approchant de Machkoutens la Nation du feu,
jeu la Curiosit6 de boire des Eaux mineralles de la
Riuiere qui n est pas Loing de Cette bourgade, Je

1673- 77 j MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 99

it on account of the quantity of mire and Mud which
is seen there, whence noisome vapors Constantly
arise, Causing the loudest and most Continual Thun
der that I have ever heard.

The Bay is about thirty leagues in depth and eight
in width at its Mouth ; it narrows gradually to the
bottom, where it is easy to observe a tide which has
its regular ebb and flow, almost Like That of the
Sea. This is not the place to inquire whether these
are real tides; whether they are Due to the wind, or
to some other cause; whether there are winds, The
precursors of the Moon and attached to her suite,
which consequently agitate the lake and give it an
apparent ebb and flow whenever the Moon ascends
above the horizon. What I can Positively state is,
that, when the water is very Calm, it is easy to
observe it rising and falling according to the Course
of the moon ; although I do not deny that This move
ment may be Caused by very Remote Winds, which,
pressing on the middle of the lake, cause the edges
to Rise and fall in the manner which is visible to our
eyes. 17

We left This bay to enter the river that discharges
into it ; it is very beautiful at its Mouth, and flows
gently; it is full Of bustards, Ducks, Teal, and other
birds, attracted thither by the wild oats, of which
they are very fond. But, after ascending the river a
short distance, it becomes very difficult of passage,
on account of both the Currents and the sharp Rocks,
which Cut the Canoes and the feet of Those who are
obliged to drag them, especially when the Waters
are low. Nevertheless, we successfully passed Those
rapids; and on approaching Machkoutens, the fire
Nation, I had the Curiosity to drink the mineral

100 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

pris aussi le temps de reconnoistre vn simple qu un
sauuage qui en scait le secret a enseigne" au P.
Alloiies auec beaucoup de Ceremonies, Sa racine sert
Centre la morsure des serpents, Dieu ayant voulu
donner ce remede Centre vn venin qui est tres fre
quent en ces pays : Elle est fort chaude et elle a vn
goust de poudre quand on 1 escrase sous la dent ; il
faut la mascher et la mettre sur la piquure du ser
pent, qui en a vne si grande horreur; qu il s enfuit
mesme de Celuy qui s en est frotte, elle produit plu-
sieures tiges hautes d un pied, dont la feuille est un
peu longue et la fleur blanche et beaucoup semblable
a La giroflee. J en mis dans mon Canot, pour 1 exa-
miner a loisir, pendant que nous auan9ions tousjour
vers Maskoutens, ou nous arriuames Le ? e . de Juin.

SECTION 3 KMB . DESCRIPTION DE LA BOURGADE DE

MASKOUTENS, CE QUI S Y PASSA ENTRE LE PERE

& LES SAUUAGES; LES FRANOIS COMMENCENT

D ENTRER DANS VN PAYS NOUUEAU ET

INCONNU ET ARRIUENT A MISSIS[l]PI

Nous voicy rendus a Maskoutens, ce Mot en Al
gonquin peut signifier Nation du feu, aussi est
ce le nom qu on luy a donne; C est icy le terme des
decouuertes qu on fait les franjois, Car ils n ont point
encor passe plus auant.

Ce Bourg est Compose" de trois sortes de Nations
qui s y sont ramasse"es, Des Miamis, des Maskoutens,
et des Kikabous les premiers sont les plus ciuils, les
plus liberaux, et les mieux faitz, ils portent deux
longues moustaches sur les oreilles, qui leurs donnent
bonne grace, ils passent pour les guerriers et font
rarement des partis sans succez ; ils sont fort dociles,

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 101

Waters of the River that is not Far from That vil
lage. I also took time to look for a medicinal plant
which a savage, who knows its secret, showed to
Father Alloues with many Ceremonies. Its root is
employed to Counteract snake-bites, God having been
pleased to give this antidote Against a poison which
is very common in these countries. It is very pun
gent, and tastes like powder when crushed with the
teeth; it must be masticated and placed upon the
bite inflicted by the snake. The reptile has so great
a horror of it that it even flees from a Person who
has rubbed himself with it. The plant bears several
stalks, a foot high, with rather long leaves; and a
white flower, which greatly resembles The wall
flower. 18 I put some in my Canoe, in order to examine
it at leisure while we continued to advance toward
Maskoutens, where we arrived on The 7th of
June.

SECTION 3RD. DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLAGE OF MAS
KOUTENS; WHAT PASSED THERE BETWEEN THE
FATHER AND THE SAVAGES. THE FRENCH
BEGIN TO ENTER A NEW AND UNKNOWN
COUNTRY, AND ARRIVE AT MISSISIPI.

HERE we are at Maskoutens. This Word may, in
Algonquin, mean " the fire Nation," which,
indeed, is the name given to this tribe. Here is the
limit of the discoveries which the french have made,
For they have not yet gone any farther.

This Village Consists of three Nations who have
gathered there Miamis, Maskoutens, and Kikabous.
The former are the most civil, the most liberal, and
the most shapely. They wear two long locks over
their ears, which give them a pleasing appearance.

102 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

ils escoutetit paisiblement Ce qu on Leur dit, & ont
paru si auides d Entendre Le P. Alloiies quand il les
Instruisoit, qu ils Luy donnoient peu de repos, mesme
pendant la nuict. Les Maskoutens et les KiKabous
sont plus grossiers et semblent estre des paysantz en
Comparaison des autres. Comme les Escorces a faire
des Cabannes sont rares en ce pays la, Ils se seruent
de Jones qui Leur tiennent lieu de murailles et de
Couuertures, mais qui ne les deffendent pas beaucoup
des vents, et bien moins des pluye s quand elles
tombent en abondance. La Commodity de ces sortes
de Cabannes est qu ils Les mettent en pacquetz et
les portent aise ment ou ils veulent pendant Le temps
de leur chasse.

Lorsque Je les visitay, je fus extreme ment Console"
de veoir vne belle Croix planted au milieu du bourg
et orne"e de plusieurs peaux blanches, de Ceintures
rouges, d arcs et de fl.ech.es, que ces bonnes gens
auoient offertz au grand Manitou, (C est le nom qu ils
donnent a Dieu) pour le remercier de ce qu il auoit
eu pitie" D Eux pendant L hyuer, Leur donnant une
chasse abondante, Lorsqu ils apprehendoient Le plus
La famine.

Je pris plaisir de veoir la situation de cette bour-
gade, Elle est belle et bien diuertissante, Car d une
Eminence, sur la quelle elle est place"e on d6couure de
toutes parts des prairies a perte de veue, partage"es par
des bocages, ou par des bois de haute f utaye : La terre
y est tres bonne, et rend beaucoup de bled d inde, Les
sauuages ramassent quantite de prunes et de raisins
dont on pourroit faire beaucoup de vin si L on vouloit.

Nous ne fusmes pas plustost arriue"z que nous assem-
blames les anciens M r . Jollyet et moy, il leur dit qu il

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 103

They are regarded as warriors, and rarely undertake
expeditions without being successful. They are
very docile, and listen quietly to What is said to
Them; and they appeared so eager to Hear Father
Alloues when he Instructed them that they gave Him
but little rest, even during the night. The Maskou-
tens and Kikabous are ruder, and seem peasants in
Comparison with the others. As Bark for making
Cabins is scarce in this country, They use Rushes;
these serve Them for making walls and Roofs, but do
not afford them much protection against the winds,
and still less against the rains when they fall abun
dantly. The Advantage of Cabins of this kind is,
that they make packages of Them, and easily trans
port them wherever they wish, while they are
hunting.

When I visited them, I was greatly Consoled at
seeing a handsome Cross erected in the middle of the
village, and adorned with many white skins, red
Belts, and bows and arrows, which these good people
had offered to the great Manitou (This is the name
which they give to God). They did this to thank him
for having had pity On Them during The winter, by
giving Them an abundance of game When they
Most dreaded famine. 19

I took pleasure in observing the situation of this
village. It is beautiful and very pleasing; For, from
an Eminence upon which it is placed, one beholds
on every side prairies, extending farther than the
eye can see, interspersed with groves or with lofty
trees. The soil is very fertile, and yields much
indian corn. The savages gather quantities of plums
and grapes, wherewith much wine could be made,
if desired.

104 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [ VOL. 59

estoit enuoy6 de la part de Mons r . Nostre Gouuer-
neur pour de"couurir de Nouueaus pays, et moy de la
part de Dieu pour les Esclairer des lumieres du s*.
Euangile, qu au reste Le Maistre souuerain de nos
vies vottloit estre connu de toutes les Nations, et
que pour obeir a ses volontes, je ne craignois pas la
mort a laquelle je m exposois dans des voyages si
perilleux. Que nous auions besoin de deux guides
pour nous mettre dans nostre route; Nous leur
fimes un present, en les priant de nous les accorder,
ce qu ils firent tres Ciuilement et mesme voulurent
aussi nous parler par vn present qui fut une Nate
pour nous seruir de lit pendant tout nostre voyage.

Le lendemain qui fut le dixieme de Juin, deux
Miamis qu on nous donna pour guides s embarque-
rent auec nous, a la veiie d un grand monde, qui ne
pouuoit assez s estonner, de veoir sept fran9ois, seuls,
et dans deux Canotz oser entreprendre une Expedi
tion si extresordinaire et si hazardeuse.

Nous scauions qua trois lieues de MasKoutens estoit
vne Riuiere qui se decharge dans Missisipi; Nous
scauions encor que le rund de vent que nous deuions
tenir pour y arriuer estoit L ouest soroiiest mais le
chemin est partage de tant de marais et de petitz
lacs, qu il est aise de s y e"garer, d autant plus que la
Riuiere qui y me ne est si chargee de folle auoine,
qu on a peine a en raconnoistre le Canal, C est en
quoy nous auions bien besoin de nos deux guides,
aussi nous Conduisirent-ils heureusement jusque vn
portage de 2700 pas, et nous aiderent a transporter
nos Canotz pour entrer dans Cette riuiere, apres quoy
ils s en retournerent, nous laissant seuls en ce pays
Inconnu, entre les mains de la prouidence.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 105-

No sooner had we arrived than we, Monsieur
Jollyet and I, assembled the elders together; and
he told them that he was sent by Monsieur Our
Governor to discover New countries, while I was sent
by God to Illumine them with the light of the holy
Gospel. He told them that, moreover, The sov
ereign Master of our lives wished to be known by all
the Nations; and that in obeying his will I feared
not the death to which I exposed myself in voyages
so perilous. He informed them that we needed two-
guides to show us the way ; and We gave them a
present, by it asking them to grant us the guides.
To this they very Civilly consented; and they also
spoke to us by means of a present, consisting of a
Mat to serve us as a bed during the whole of our
voyage.

On the following day, the tenth of June, twa
Miamis who were given us as guides embarked with
us, in the sight of a great crowd, who could not suffi
ciently express their astonishment at the sight of
seven frenchmen, alone and in two Canoes, daring to-
undertake so extraordinary and so hazardous an
Expedition.

We knew that, at three leagues from Maskoutens,
was a River which discharged into Missisipi. We
knew also that the direction we were to follow in
order to reach it was west-southwesterly. But the
road is broken by so many swamps and small lakes
that it is easy to lose one s way, especially as the
River leading thither is so full of wild oats that it is
difficult to find the Channel. For this reason we
greatly needed our two guides, who safely Conducted
us to a portage of 2,700 paces, and helped us to
transport our Canoes to enter That river; after

106 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 69

Nous quittons done les Eaux qui vont jusqtta Que-
beq a 4 ou 500 Lieue s d icy pour prendre Celles qui
nous Conduiront desormais dans des terres estran-
geres. auant que de nous y embarquer, nous Com-
men9ames tous ensemble une nouuelle deuotion a la
s te . Vierge Immaculee que nous pratiquames tous les
jours, luy addressant des prieres particuliers pour
mettre sous sa protection, et nos personnes et le
succez de nostre voyage, et apres nous estre encou
rages les vns les autres nous tnontons en Canot.

La Riuiere sur laquelle nous nous embarquames
s appelle MesKousing, elle est fort large, son fond
est du sable, qui fait diuerses battures lesquelles
rendent cette nauigation tres difficile, elle est pleine
d Isles Couuertes de Vignes ; sur les bords parroissent
de bonnes terres, entremesle es de bois de prairies et
de Costeaux, on y voit des chesnes, des Noiers, des
bois blancs, et une autre espece d arbres dontz les
branches sont arme es de longues espines. Nous
n auons veu ny gibier, ny poisson, mais bien des
cheureilz et des vaches en assez grande quantite",
nostre Route estoit au suroiiest et apres auoir nauige
enuiron 30 lieues, nous apperceumes un endroit qui
auoit toutes les apparences de mine de fer, et de fait
vn de nous qui en a veu autref ois, assure que Celle que
Nous auons trouue"e est fort bonne et tres abondante,
elle est Couuerte de trois pieds de bonne terre, assez
proche d une chaine de rocher, dont le bas est plein
de fort beau bois, apres 40 lieues sur Cette mesme
route, nous arriuons a 1 embouchure de nostre Riuiere
et nous trouuant a 42 degrez et demy D esleuation,
Nous entrons heureusement dans Missisipi Le 17*.
Juin auec vne Joye que je ne peux pas Expliquer.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 107

which they returned home, leaving us alone in this
Unknown country, in the hands of providence. 20

Thus we left the Waters flowing to Quebeq, 4 or
500 Leagues from here, to float on Those that would
thenceforward Take us through strange lands. Be
fore embarking thereon, we Began all together a
new devotion to the blessed Virgin Immaculate,
which we practiced daily, addressing to her special
prayers to place under her protection both our
persons and the success of our voyage; and, after
mutually encouraging one another, we entered our
Canoes.

The River on which we embarked is called Mes-
kousing. It is very wide ; it has a sandy bottom,
which forms various shoals that render its navigation
very difficult. It is full of Islands Covered with
Vines. On the banks one sees fertile land, diversi
fied with woods, prairies, and Hills. There are oak,
Walnut, and basswood trees; and another kind,
whose branches are armed with long thorns. We
saw there neither feathered game nor fish, but many
deer, and a large number of cattle. Our Route lay
to the southwest, and, after navigating about 30
leagues, we saw a spot presenting all the appear
ances of an iron mine ; and, in fact, one of our party
who had formerly seen such mines, assures us that
The One which We found is very good and very rich.
It is Covered with three feet of good soil, and is
quite near a chain of rocks, the base of which is cov
ered by very fine trees. After proceeding 40 leagues
on This same route, we arrived at the mouth of our
River ; and, at 42 and a half degrees Of latitude, We
safely entered Missisipi on The i/th of June, with a
Joy that I cannot Express.

108 LES RELA TION.S DES JESUITES [VOL. 5&

SECTION 4 EMB . DE LA GRANDE RIUIERE APPELLEE

MISSISIPI SES PLUS NOTABLES PARTICULARITES, DE

DIUERS ANIMAUX ET PARTICULIEREMENT DES

PISIKIOUS OU BOZUFS SAUUAGES, LEUR FIGURE

ET LEUR NATUREL, DES PREMIERS VILLAGES

DES ILINOIS OU LES FRANgOIS ARRIUENT.

Nous voyla done sur cette Riuiere si renommee
dont lay tadae" d en remarquer attentiuement
toutes les singularity ; La Riuiere de Missisipi tire
son origine de diuers lacs qui sont dans le pays des
peuples du Nord, elle est estroitte a sa de"charge de
MisKous; son Courant qui port du Coste" du sud est
lent et paisible, a la droitte on voist vne grande
Chaisne de Montagnes fort hautes et a la gauche de
belles terres, elle est Couppee d Isles en diuers En-
droictz ; En sondant nous auons trouues dix brasses
d Eaux, sa Largeur est fort inegale, elle a quelque
fois trois quartz de lieue s et quelquefois elle se
re"tressit jusqua trois arpens. Nous suiuons douce-
ment son Cours, qui va au sud et au sudest jusquaus
42 degres d Eleuation. C est icy que nous nous
apperceuons bien qu elle a tout change" de face ; II ny
a presque plus de bois n y de montagnes, Les Isles
sont plus beles et Couuertes de plus beaux arbres;
Nous ne voions que des cheureils et de vaches, des
outardes et des Cygnes sans aisles, parcequ ils quit-
tent Leurs plumes en Ce pays: Nous rencontrons de
temps en temps des poissons monstrueux, vn desquels
donna si rudement Centre nostre Canot que je Cru
que c estoit un gros arbre qui L alloit mettre en
pieces vne autrefois nous apperceumes sur L eau vn
monstre qui auoit vne teste de tygre, les nez pointu
Comme Celuy d un chat sauuage, auec la barbe &
des oreilles droittes Eleue"es en haut, La teste estoit

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1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 109

SECTION 4TH. OF THE GREAT RIVER CALLED MISSI-

SIPI; ITS MOST NOTABLE FEATURES; OF VARIOUS

ANIMALS, AND ESPECIALLY THE PISIKIOUS OR

WILD CATTLE, THEIR SHAPE AND NATURE;

OF THE FIRST VILLAGES OF THE ILINOIS,

WHERE THE FRENCH ARRIVED.

HERE we are, then, on this so renowned River, all
of whose peculiar features I have endeavored
to note carefully. The Missisipi River takes its rise
in various lakes in the country of the Northern
nations. It is narrow at the place where Miskous
empties; its Current, which flows southward, is slow
and gentle. To the right is a large Chain of very
high Mountains, and to the left are beautiful lands;
in various Places, the stream is Divided by Islands.
On sounding, we found ten brasses of Water. Its
Width is very unequal ; sometimes it is three-quar
ters of a league, and sometimes it narrows to three
arpents. We gently followed its Course, which runs
toward the south and southeast, as far as the 42nd
degree of Latitude. Here we plainly saw that its
aspect was completely changed. There are hardly
any woods or mountains ; The Islands are more beau
tiful, and are Covered with finer trees. We saw
only deer and cattle, bustards, and Swans without
wings, because they drop Their plumage in This
country. From time to time, we came upon mon
strous fish, one of which struck our Canoe with such
violence that I Thought that it was a great tree,
about to break the Canoe to pieces. 21 On another
occasion, we saw on The water a monster with the
head of a tiger, a sharp nose Like That of a wildcat,
with whiskers and straight, Erect ears; The head
was gray and The Neck quite black ; but We saw no

110 LES RELATIONS DES jSUITES [VOL. 59

grize et La Col tout noir, Nous n en vismes pas
d auantage. quand nous auons jette" nos retz a 1 eau
nous auons pris des Esturgeons et une Espece de
poisson fort extresordinaire, il ressemble a la truitte
auec Cette difference qu il a la geule plus grande, il
a proche du nez qui est plus petit aussi bien que les
yeux vne grande Areste faite Comme vn bust de
femme, large de trois doigts, Long d une Coude"e, au
bout de laquelle est vn rond Large Comme la main.
Cela 1 oblige souuent en saultant hors de 1 eau de tom-
ber en derriere. Estant descendus jusqua 41 degres
28 minuittes suiuant Le xnesme rund, nous trouuons
que les Coqs d inde ont pris la place du gibier, et les
pisikious oubceufs sauuages, Celle des autres bestes.
Nous les appelons boeufs sauuages parcequ ils sont
bien semblables a nos boeufs domestiques, ils ne sont
pas plus longs mais ils sont pres d une fois plus gros
et plus Corpulentz ; Nos gens en ayant tu6 vn trois
personnes auoient bien de la peine a le remuer, ils
ont la teste fort grosse, Le front plat et Large d un
pied et demy entre les Cornes qui sont entierement
semblables a Celles de nos boeufs, mais elles sont
noires et beaucoup plus grande, Ils ont sous le Col
Comme vne grande falle, qui pend en bas et sur Le
dos vne bosse assez e leue e. Toute la teste, Le Col,
et une partie des Espaules sont Couuertez d un grand
Crin Comme Celuy des cheuaux, C est une htire
longue d un pied, qui les rend hideux et leur tombant
sur les yeux les Empeche de voire deuant Eux ; Le
reste du Corps est reuetu d un gros poil frise" a peu
pres Come Celuy de nos moutons, mais bien plus
fort et plus Espais, il tombe en Este et La peau
deuient douce Comme du Velours. C est pourlors
que les sauuages les Employent pour s en faire de

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE lit

more creatures of this sort. When we cast our nets
into the water we caught Sturgeon, and a very extraor
dinary Kind of fish. It resembles the trout, with
This difference, that its mouth is larger. Near its
nose which is smaller, as are also the eyes is a
large Bone shaped Like a woman s busk, three fin
gers wide and a Cubit Long, at the end of which is
a disk as Wide As one s hand. This frequently
causes it to fall backward when it leaps out of
the water. 22 When we reached the parallel of 41
degrees 28 minutes, following The same direction, we
found that Turkeys had taken the place of game;
and the pisikious, or wild cattle, That of the other
animals.

We call them " wild cattle," because they are very
similar to our domestic cattle. They are not longer,
but are nearly as large again, and more Corpulent.
When Our people killed one, three persons had much
difficulty in moving it. The head is very large;
The forehead is flat, and a foot and a half Wide be
tween the Horns, which are exactly like Those of our
oxen, but black and much larger. Under the Neck
They have a Sort of large dewlap, which hangs down ;
and on The back is a rather high hump. The whole
of the head, The Neck, and a portion of the Shoul
ders, are Covered with a thick Mane Like That of
horses; It forms a crest a foot long, which makes
them hideous, and, falling over their eyes, Prevents,
them from seeing what is before Them. The
remainder of the Body is covered with a heavy coat
of curly hair, almost Like That of our sheep, but
much stronger and Thicker. It falls off in Summer,
and The skin becomes as soft As Velvet. At that
season, the savages Use the hides for making fine

112 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

belles Robbes qu ils peignent de diuerses Couleurs;
la chair et la graisse des pisikious est Excellente et
fait le meillieur mets des festins au reste ils sont tres
mechants et il ne se passent point d ann6e qu ils ne
ttient quelques sauuages quand on vient les attaquer,
ils prennent s ils peuuent un homme auec leurs
Cornes, L enleuent en 1 air puis ils le jettent centre
terre, le foulent des pieds et le tuent, si on tire de
loing stir Eux oti de larc ou du fusil, il faut si tost
apres le Coup se jetter a terre et se cacher dans
1 herbe, Car s ils apercoiuent Celuy qui a tire, ils
Courent apres et le vont attaquer, Comme ils ont les
pieds gros et assez Courtz ils ne vont pas bien viste
pour 1* ordinaire, si ce n est lorsqu ils sont irritez.
Ils sont espars dans les prairies Comme des trou-
peaux j en ay veu vne bande de 400.

Nous auancons tous jours mais Comme nous ne
scauions pas ou nous allions ayant fait deia plus de
Cent lieues sans auoir rien de"couuert que des bestes
et des oyseaux nous Nous tenons bien sur nos gardes ;
C est pourquoy nous ne faisons qu un petit feu a terre
sur le soir pour preparer nos repas, et apres souper
nous Nous en eloignons le plus que nous pouuons, et
nous allons passer la nuict dans nos Canotz que nous
tenons a 1 ancre sur la riuiere assez loing des bords;
Ce qui n empeche pas que qu elquun de nous ne
soit tous jour en sentinelle de peur de surprise, allant
par le sud et le sud suroiiest nous nous trouuons a
la hauteur de 41 degr6z et jusqua 40 degrez quelques
minutes en partie par sudest et en partie par le sur
oiiest. Apres auoir auance" plus de 60 lieues depuis
Nostre Entree dans la Riuiere sans rien de"couurir.

Enfin le 25*. Juin nous aperceumes sur le bord de
leau des pistes d hommes, et un petit sentier asse"z

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 113

Robes, which they paint in various Colors. The
flesh and the fat of the pisikious are Excellent, and
constitute the best dish at feasts. Moreover, they
are very fierce ; and not a year passes without their
killing some savages. When attacked, they catch a
man on their Horns, if they can, toss Him in the air,
and then throw him on the ground, after which they
trample him under foot, and kill him. If a person
fire at Them from a distance, with either a bow or a
gun, he must, immediately after the Shot, throw
himself down and hide in the grass ; For if they per
ceive Him who has fired, they Run at him, and attack
him. As their legs are thick and rather Short, they
do not run very fast, As a rule, except when angry.
They are scattered about the prairie in herds ; I have
seen one of 400.

We continued to advance, but, As we knew not
whither we were going, for we had proceeded over
one Hundred leagues without discovering anything
except animals and birds, we kept well on our
guard. On this account, we make only a small fire
on land, toward evening, to cook our meals; and,
after supper, we remove Ourselves as far from it as
possible, and pass the night in our Canoes, which we
anchor in the river at some distance from the shore.
This does not prevent us from always posting one of
the party as a sentinel, for fear of a surprise. Pro
ceeding still in a southerly and south-southwesterly
direction, we find ourselves at the parallel of 41
degrees, and as low as 40 degrees and some min
utes, partly southeast and partly southwest, after
having advanced over 60 leagues since We Entered
the River, without discovering anything.

Finally, on the 2 5th of June, we perceived on the

114 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

battu qui entroit dans une belle prairie. Nous Nous
arrestames pour 1 Examiner, et jugeant que cestoit
un chemin qui Conduisoit a quelque village de sau-
uages, Nous primes resolution de Taller reconnoistre ;
nous laissons done nos deux Canotz sous la garde de
nos gens, Leur recommandant bien de ne se pas
laisser surprendre, apres quoy M r . Jollyet et moy
entreprimes cette dcouuerte asse z hazardeuse pour
deux hommes seuls qui s exposent a la discretion
d un peuple barbare et Inconnu. Nous suiuons en
silence. Ce petit sentier, et apres auoir fait Enuiron
2 lieues, Nous decouurimes vn village sur le bord
d une riuiere, et deux autres sur vn Costeau escarte"
du premier d une demi lieiie, Ce fut pour lors que
nous nous recommandames a Dieu de bon Coeur, et
ayant implore^ son secours, nous passames outre sans
e"tre decouuerts et nous vinsmes si pres que nous
entendions mesme parler les sauuages. Nous Grumes
done qu il estoit temps de nous decouurir, ce que
Nous fismes par vn Cry que nous poussames de
toutes Nos forces, en nous arrestant sans plus avan-
cer. A ce cry les sauuages sortent promptement de
leurs Cabanes Et nous ayant probablement reconnus
pour franois, sur tout voyant une robe noire, ou du
moins n ayant aucun suject de deffiance, puisque
nous n estions que deux hommes, et que nous les
auions aduertis de nostre arriuee, ils de"puterent
quattre vielliards, pour nous venir parler, dontz deux
portoient des pipes a prendre du tabac, bien ornees
et Empanachees de diuers plumages, ils marchoient
a petit pas, et eleuant leurs pipes vers le soleil, ils
sembloient luy presenter a fumer, sans neamoins
dire aucun mot. Ils furent assez longtemps a faire
le peu de chemin depuis leur village jusqu a nous.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 115

water s edge some tracks of men, and a narrow and
somewhat beaten path leading to a fine prairie. We
stopped to Examine it ; and, thinking that it was a
road which Led to some village of savages, We
resolved to go and reconnoiter it. We therefore left
our two Canoes under the guard of our people,
strictly charging Them not to allow themselves to
be surprised, after which Monsieur Jollyet and I
undertook this investigation a rather hazardous one
for two men who exposed themselves, alone, to the
mercy of a barbarous and Unknown people. We
silently followed The narrow path, and, after walk
ing About 2 leagues, We discovered a village on the
bank of a river, and two others on a Hill distant
about half a league from the first. 23 Then we
Heartily commended ourselves to God, and, after
imploring his aid, we went farther without being
perceived, and approached so near that we could
even hear the savages talking. We therefore De
cided that it was time to reveal ourselves* This We
did by Shouting with all Our energy, and stopped,
without advancing any farther. On hearing the
shout, the savages quickly issued from their Cabins,
And having probably recognized us as frenchmen,
especially when they saw a black gown, or, at
least, having no cause for distrust, as we were only
two men, and had given them notice of our arrival,
they deputed four old men to come and speak to us.
Two of these bore tobacco-pipes, finely ornamented
and Adorned with various feathers. They walked
slowly, and raised their pipes toward the sun, seem
ingly offering them to it to smoke, without, how
ever, saying a word. They spent a rather long time
in covering the short distance between their village

116 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Enfin nous ayant abord6s, ils s arresterent pour nous
Considerer auec attention ; Je me r assuray, voyant
ces Ceremonies qui ne se font parmy eux qu entr -
amys, et bien plus quand je les vis Couuertz d Estoffe,
jugeant par la qu ils estoient de nos alliez. Je leurs
parlay done le premier, et Je leurs demanday qui ils
estoient, ils me re"pondirent qu ils estoient Ilinois, et
pour marque de paix ils nous presenterent leurs pipes
pour petuner, Ensuitte ils nous inuiterent d entrer
dans leur Village, ou tout le peuple nous attendoit
auec impatience. Ces pipes a prendre du tabac s ap-
pellent en Ce pays des Calumetz; ce mot s y est mit
tellement En vsage que pour estre entendu je seray
oblig6 de m en seruir ayant a en parler bien des fois.

SECTION 5 B . COMMENT LES ILINOIS RECEURENT LE
PERE DANS LEUR BOURGADE

ALA Porte de la Cabane ou nous deuions estre
receus, estoit un vielliard qui nous attendoit
dans une posture assez surprenante qui est la Cere-
monie qu ils gardent quand ils recoiuent des Estran-
gers. Get homme estoit debout et tout nud, tenant
ses mains estendus et leue"es vers le soleil, Comme
s il cut voulu se deffendre de ses rayons, lesquels
neamoins passoient sur son visage entre ses doigts;
quand nous fusmes proches de luy il nous fit Ce
Compliment; Que le soleil est beau, franjois, quand
tu nous viens uisiter, tout nostre bourg t attend, et
tu entreras en paix dans toute nos Cabanes. Cela
dit, il nous introduisit, dans la sienne, oh il y auoit
vne foule de monde qui nous deuoroit des yeux, qui
cependant gardoit un profond silence, on entendoit
neamoins ces paroles qu on nous addressoit de*temps

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 117

and us. Finally, when they had drawn near, they
stopped to Consider us attentively. I was reassured
when I observed these Ceremonies, which with them
are performed only among friends ; and much more
so when I saw them Clad in Cloth, for I judged
thereby that they were our allies. I therefore spoke
to them first, and asked them who they were. They
replied that they were Ilinois; and, as a token of
peace, they offered us their pipes to smoke. They
afterward invited us to enter their Village, where
all the people impatiently awaited us. These pipes
for smoking tobacco are called in This country
Calumets. This word has come so much Into use
that, in order to be understood, I shall be obliged to
use it, as I shall often have to mention these pipes.

SECTION 5TH. HOW THE ILINOIS RECEIVED THE
FATHER IN THEIR VILLAGE.

AT the Door of the Cabin in which we were to be
received was an old man, who awaited us in a
rather surprising attitude, which constitutes a part
of the Ceremonial that they observe when they
receive Strangers. This man stood erect, and stark
naked, with his hands extended and lifted toward the
sun, As if he wished to protect himself from its rays,
which nevertheless shone upon his face through his
fingers. When we came near him, he paid us This
Compliment : How beautiful the sun is, O french
man, when thou comest to visit us! All our village
awaits thee, and thou shalt enter all our Cabins in
peace. " Having said this, he made us enter his own,
in which were a crowd of people ; they devoured us
with their eyes, but, nevertheless, observed profound
silence. We could, however, hear these words,

118 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

en temps et d une voix basse, que voyla qui est bien,
Mes freres de ce que vous nous visitez.

Apres que Nous eusmes pris place, on nous fit la
Ciuilit6 ordinaire du pays, qui est de nous presenter le
Calumet, il ne faut pas le refuser, si on ne veut passer
pour Ennemy ou dumoins pour inciuil, pourueu qu on
fasse semblant de fumer c estassez; pendant quetous
les anciens petunoient apres Nous pour nous honorer,
on vient nous inuiter de la part du grand Capitaine de
tous les Ilinois de nous transporter en sa Bourgade,
ou il vouloit tenir Conseil auec nous. Nous y allames
en bonne Compagnie, Car tous ces peuples qui
n auoient jamais veu de fran9ois chez Eux ne se
lassoient point de nous regarder, ils se Couchoient
sur L herbe le long des chemins, ils nous deuangoient,
puis ils retournoient sur leurs pas, pour nous venir
voir Encore Tout cela se faisoit sans bruit et auec les
marques d un grand respect qu ils auoient pour nous.

Estant arriuez au Bourg du grand Capitaine, Nous
le vismes a 1 entr^e de sa Cabanne, au milieu de deux
vielliards, tous trois debout et nud tenant leur
Calumet tourne" vers le soleil, il nous harangua En
peu de motz, nous felicitant de nostre arriue e, il nous
presenta ensuitte son Calumet et nous fit fumer, en
mesme temps que nous entrions dans sa Cabanne, ou
nous receumes toutes leurs Caresses ordinaires.

Voyant tout le monde assemble et dans le silence,
Je leur parlay par quattre presents que je leur fis,
par le premier je leur disois que nous marchions en
paix pour uisiter les nations qui estoient sur la
Riuiere jusqu a la Mer. par le second je leur decla-
ray, que Dieu qui les a Cre"es auoit piti6 d Eux,
puis qu apres tant de temps qu il Tont ignore", il vou-

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 119

which were addressed to us from time to time in a
low voice: " How good it is, My brothers, that you
should visit us."

After We had taken our places, the usual Civility
of the country was paid to us, which consisted in
offering us the Calumet. This must not be refused,
unless one wishes to be considered an Enemy, or at
least uncivil ; it suffices that one make a pretense of
smoking. While all the elders smoked after Us, in
order to do us honor, we received an invitation on
behalf of the great Captain of all the Ilinois to pro
ceed to his Village where he wished to hold a Coun
cil with us. We went thither in a large Company,
For all these people, who had never seen any french
men among Them, could not cease looking at us.
They Lay on The grass along the road ; they preceded
us, and then retraced their steps to come and see us
Again. All this was done noiselessly, and with
marks of great respect for us.

When we reached the Village of the great Captain,
We saw him at the entrance of his Cabin, between
two old men, all three erect and naked, and hold
ing their Calumet turned toward the sun. He
harangued us In a few words, congratulating us
upon our arrival. He afterward offered us his Calu
met, and made us smoke while we entered his Cabin,
where we received all their usual kind Attentions.

Seeing all assembled and silent, I spoke to them
by four presents that I gave them. By the first, I
told them that we were journeying peacefully to visit
the nations dwelling on the River as far as the Sea.
By the second, I announced to them that God, who
had Created them, had pity on Them, inasmuch as,
after they had so long been ignorant of him, he

120 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. **

loit se faire Connoistre a tous ces peuples, que j estois
Enuoye de sa part pour ce dessein, que c estoit a Eux
a le reconnoistre et a luy obe"ir. Par le troisieme
que le grand Capitaine des franjois leur faisoit sca-
uoir, que c estoit luy qui mettoit la paix partout et
qui auoit dompte" L Iroquois. Enfin par le quatrie me
nous les prions de nous donner toutes Les Connois-
sances qu ils auoient de la Mer, et des Nations par
Lesquelles nous deuions passer pour y arriuer.

Quand jeu finy mon discour, le Capitaine se leua,
et tenant La main sur la teste d un petit Esclaue
qu il nous vouloit donner il par la ainsi. Je te remer-
cy Robe Noire, et toy franois s addressant a M r .
Jollyet, de ce que vous prenez tant de peine pour
nous venir visiter, jamais la terre n a este" si belle ny
le soleil si Eclatant qu aujourd huy; Jamais nostre
riuiere n a este si Calme, n y si nette de rochers que
vos canotz ont Enleuees en passant, jamais nostre
petun n a eii si bon goust, n y nos bleds n ont paru
si beaux que Nous Les voions maintenant. Voicy
mon fils que je te donne pour te faire Connoistre mon
Cceur, je te prie d auoir pitie de moy, et de toute
ma Nation, C est toy qui Connoist le grand Genie
qui nous a tous faits, C est toy qui Luy parle et qui
escoute sa parole, demande Luy qu il me donne la
vie et la saute", et vient demeurer auec nous, pour
nous le faire Connoistre. Cela dit, il mit le petit
Esclaue proche de nous, et nous fit un second
present, qui estoit un Calumet tout mysterieux, dont
ilsfont plus d estat que d un Esclaue; il nous te"moi-
gnoit par ce present L estime qu il faisoit de Mon
sieur Nostre Gouuerneur, sur le recit que nous luy
en auions fait; et pour un troisieme il nous prioit de

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 121

wished to make himself Known to all the peoples;
that I was Sent by him for that purpose ; and that it
was for Them to acknowledge and obey him. By
the third, I said that the great Captain of the French
informed them that he it was who restored peace
everywhere ; and that he had subdued The Iroquois.
Finally, by the fourth, we begged them to give us
all The Information that they had about the Sea, and
about the Nations through Whom we must pass to
reach it.

When I had finished my speech, the Captain arose,
and, resting His hand upon the head of a little Slave
whom he wished to give us, he spoke thus: " I
thank thee, Black Gown, and thee, O frenchman,"
addressing himself to Monsieur Jollyet, " for hav
ing taken so much trouble to come to visit us.
Never has the earth been so beautiful, or the sun so
Bright, as to-day; Never has our river been so Calm,
or so clear of rocks, which your canoes have
Removed in passing; never has our tobacco tasted
so good, or our corn appeared so fine, as We now see
Them. Here is my son, whom I give thee to Show
thee my Heart. I beg thee to have pity on me, and
on all my Nation. It is thou who Knowest the great
Spirit who has made us all. It is thou who speakest
to Him, and who hearest his word. Beg Him to give
me life and health, and to come and dwell with us,
in order to make us Know him." Having said this,
he placed the little Slave near us, and gave us a
second present, consisting of an altogether mysteri
ous Calumet, upon which they place more value than
upon a Slave. By this gift, he expressed to us The
esteem that he had for Monsieur Our Governor, from
the account which we had given of him ; and, by a

122 LES RELATIONS DES jS UITES [VOL. 59

la part de toute sa Nation, de ne pas passer oultre, a
cause des grands dangers cm nous nous Exposions.

Je re"pondis, que je ne Craignois point La mort, et
que je n estimois point de plus grand bonheur que
de perdre la vie pour la gloire de Celuy qui a tout
fait. C est ce que ces pauures peuples ne peuuent
Comprendre.

Le Conseil fut suiuy d un grand festin qui Consis-
toit en quattre metz qu il fallut prendre auec toutes
leurs fajons, Le premier seruice fut un grand plat
de bois plein de sagamite", cest-a-dire de farine de
bled d inde qu ont fait boiiillir auec de leau qu on
assaisonne de graisse. Le Maistre des Ceremonies
auec vne Cueillier pleine de sagamite" me la presenta
a la bouche par trois ou 4 fois, Comme on feroit a vn
petit Enfant, il fit Le mesme a M r . Jollyet. pour
second metz il fit paroistre un second plat ori il y
auoit trois poissons, il en prit quelques morceaux
pour en oster les arestes, et ayant souffle" dessus pour
Les rafraichir, il nous les mit a la bouche, Comme
L on donneroit la besche"e a un oyseau. on apporte
pour troisie me seruice vn grand chien, qu on venoit
de tuer, mais ayant appris que nous n en mangions
point, on le retira de deuant nous. Enfin le 4*. fut
une pie"ce de bceuf sauuage, dont on nous mit a la
bouche Les morceaux les plus gras.

Apres ce. festin il fallut aller visiter tout le village
qui est bien Compose" de 300 Cabannes, pendant que
nous marchions par les Riles, vn orateur haranguoit
Continuellement pour obliger tout le monde a nous
voir sans nous estre Importuns; on nous presentoit
partout des Ceintures, des jartieres, et autres ou-
urages faits de poil d ours et de bceuf, et tiens en

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 123

third, he begged us on behalf of all his Nation not to
go farther, on account of the great dangers to which
we Exposed ourselves.

I replied that I Feared not death, and that I
regarded no happiness as greater than that of losing
my life for the glory of Him who has made all. This
is what these poor people cannot Understand.

The Council was followed by a great feast, Con
sisting of four dishes, which had to be partaken of
in accordance with all their fashions. The first
course was a great wooden platter full of sagamite,
that is to say, meal of indian corn boiled in water,
and seasoned with fat. The Master of Ceremonies
filled a Spoon with sagamite three or 4 times, and
put it to my mouth As if I were a little Child. He
did The same to Monsieur Jollyet. As a second
course, he caused a second platter to be brought, on
which were three fish. He took some pieces of
them, removed the bones therefrom, and, after blow
ing upon them to cool Them, he put them in our
mouths As one would give food to a bird. For the
third course, they brought a large dog, that had just
been killed ; but, when they learned that we did not
eat this meat, they removed it from before us.
Finally, the 4th course was a piece of wild ox, The
fattest morsels of which were placed in our mouths.

After this feast, we had to go to visit the whole
village, which Consists of fully 300 Cabins. While
we walked through the Streets, an orator Continually
harangued to oblige all the people to come to see
us without Annoying us. Everywhere we were pre
sented with Belts, garters, and other articles made
of the hair of bears and cattle, dyed red, Yellow,
and gray. These are all the rarities they possess.

124 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

rouge, en Jaime et en gris, Ce sont toutes les rarete"z
quils ont Comme elles ne sont pas bien Conside
rables, nous ne nous En chargeames point.

Nous Couchames dans la Cabane du Capitaine, et
le lendemain nous prismes Conge" de luy, promettant
de repasser par son bourg dans quatre lunes. II
nous Conduisit jusqua nos Canotz auec pres de 600
personnes, qui nous virent Embarquer, nous don-
nant toutes les marques qu ils pouuoient de la joye
que Nostre visite leur auoit causee. Je m engageay
en mon particulier, en leur disant a Dieu que je vien-
drois 1 an prochain demeurer auec Eux pour les
instruire. Mais auant que de quitter le pays des
Ilinois il est bon que je rapporte ce que jay reconnu
de leurs Coustumes et fa9ons de faire.

SECTION 6 EME . DU NATUREL DES ILINOIS, DE LEURS

MCEURS & DE LEURS COUSTUMES, DE L ESTIME

QU ILS ONT POUR LE CALUMET OU PIPE A

PRENDRE DU TABAC, ET DE LA DANSE

QU ILS FONT EN SON HONNEUR.

QUI dit Ilinois, c est comme qui diroit en leur
langue, les hommes, Comme si les autres
Sauuages, aupres d eux ne passoient que pour
des bestes, aussi faut-il aduoiier qu ils ont un air
d humanite" que nous n auons pas remarque" dans
les autres nations que nous auons veue s sur nostre
route. Le peu De sejour que jay fait parmy Eux ne
m a pas permis de prendre toutes les Connoissances
que j aurois souhaite; de toutes Leurs faons de
faire voicy ce que j en ay remarque.

Us sont diuises en plusieures bourgades dont quel-
qu es vnes sont asses eloigne es de celle dont nous

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 125

As they are of no great Value, we did not burden
ourselves with Them.

We Slept in the Captain s Cabin, and on the fol
lowing day we took Leave of him, promising to pass
again by his village, within four moons. He
Conducted us to our Canoes, with nearly 600 persons
who witnessed our Embarkation, giving us every
possible manifestation of the joy that Our visit had
caused them. For my own part, I promised, on bid
ding them Adieu, that I would come the following
year, and reside with Them to instruct them. But,
before quitting the Ilinois country, it is proper that
I should relate what I observed of their Customs and
usages.

SECTION 6TH. OF THE CHARACTER OF THE ILINOIS ;
OF THEIR HABITS AND CUSTOMS; AND OF THE
ESTEEM THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE CALU
MET, OR TOBACCO-PIPE, AND OF THE
DANCE THEY PERFORM IN ITS HONOR.

WHEN one speaks the word " Ilinois," it is as if
one said in their language, " the men," As
if the other Savages were looked upon by them
merely as animals. 24 It must also be admitted that
they have an air of humanity which we have not
observed in the other nations that we have seen upon
our route. The shortness Of my stay among Them
did not allow me to secure all the Information that
I would have desired; among all Their customs, the
following is what I have observed.

They are divided into many villages, some of
which are quite distant from that of which we speak,
which is called peouarea. This causes some differ
ence in their language, which, on the whole,

126 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5

parlons qui s appelle peoiiarea, c est ce qui met de la
difference en leur langue laquelle vniuersellement
tient de 1 allegonquin de sorte que nous nous enten-
dions facilement les vns les autres. Leur naturel
est doux et traitable, nous 1 auons Experiment^ dans
la reception qu il nous ont faitte. Us ont plusieurs
femmes donts ils sont Extremement jaloux, ils les
veillent auec vn grand soin et ils Leurs Couppent Le
ne"z ou les oreilles quand elles ne sont pas sages, j en
ay veu plusieures qui portoient les marques de leurs
de"sordres. Ils ont le Corps bien fait, ils sont lestes
et fort adroits, a tirer de 1 arc et de la fleche, Ils se
seruent aussi des fusils qu ils acheptent des sauuages
nos allies qui ont Commerce auec nos francois ; Ils
en usent particulierement pour donner L e"pouuante
par le bruit et par la fumee a leurs Ennemys, qui
n en n ont point L usage, et n en ont jamais veu
pour estre trop Eloigne" vers le Couchant. Ils sont
belliqueux et se rendent redoutables aux peuples
Eloigne"s du sud et de L oiiest oii ils vont faire des
Esclaues, desquels ils se seruent pour trafiquer, les
vendant cherement a d autres Nations, pour d autres
Marchandises. Ces Sauuages si Eloignes chez qui
ils vont En guerre n ont aucune Connoissance d Eu
ropeans; ils ne scauent a que c est ny de fer n y de
Cuiure, et n ont que des Cousteaux De pierre. quand
les Ilinois partent pour aller en guerre, il faut que
tout le bourg en soit aduerty par le grand Cry qu ils
font a la porte de leurs Cabanes, le soir et Le Matin
auant que de partir. Les Capitaines se distinguent
des soldatz par des Escharpes rouges qu ils portent,
elles sont faittes de Crin d ours et du poil de bceufs
sauuages auec asses d Industrie, ils se peignent le

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 127

resembles allegonquin, so that we easily understood
each other. They are of a gentle and tractable dis
position ; we Experienced this in the reception which
they gave us. They have several wives, of whom
they are Extremely jealous ; they watch them very
closely, and Cut off Their noses or ears when they
misbehave. I saw several women who bore the
marks of their misconduct. Their Bodies are shape
ly; they are active and very skillful with bows and
arrows. They also use guns, which they buy from
our savage allies who Trade with our french. They
use them especially to inspire, through their noise
and smoke, terror in their Enemies; the latter do
not use guns, and have never seen any, since they
live too Far toward the West. They are warlike,
and make themselves dreaded by the Distant tribes
to the south and west, whither they go to procure
Slaves; these they barter, selling them at a high
price to other Nations, in exchange for other Wares. 25
Those very Distant Savages against whom they war
have no Knowledge of Europeans ; neither do they
know anything of iron, or of Copper, and they have
only stone Knives. When the Ilinois depart to go
to war, the whole village must be notified by a loud
Shout, which is uttered at the doors of their Cabins,
the night and The Morning before their departure.
The Captains are distinguished from the warriors by
wearing red Scarfs. These are made, with consider
able Skill, from the Hair of bears and wild cattle.
They paint their faces with red ocher, great quanti
ties of which are found at a distance of some days
journey from the village. They live by hunting,
game being plentiful in that country, and on indian
corn, of which they always have a good crop; conse-

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

visage d un rouge de sanguine, dont il y a grande
quantity a quelques journees du bourg. ils viuent
de chasse, qui est abondante en ce pays et de bled
d inde dont ils font tousjour une bonne recolte, aussi
n ont-ils jamais souffert de famine, ils sement aussi
des febues et des melons qui sont Excellentz, surtout
ceux qui ont la graine rouge, leurs Citrouilles ne sont
pas des meillieures, ils les font secher au secher au
soleil pour les manger pendant L hyuer et le primp-
temps, Leurs Cabanes sont fort grandes, elles sont
Couuertes et pauees de nattes faittes de Jones; Ils
trouuent toutes Leurs vaisselle dans le bois et Leurs
Cuilliers dans la teste des boeufs dontz ils scauent si
bien accommoder le Crane qu ils s en seruent pour
manger aisement leur sagamite .

Ils sont liberaux dans leurs maladies, et Croyent
que les medicamens qu on leurs donne, operent a
proportion des presens qu ils auront fais au medicin.
Ils n ont que des peaux pour habitz, les femmes sont
tousjours vestues fort modestement et dans une
grande bien seance, au lieu que les hommes ne se
mettent pas en peine de se Couurir. Je ne scais par
quelle superstition quelques Ilinois, aussi bien que
quelques Nadoiiessi, estant encor jeunes prennent
1 habit des femmes qu ils gardent toute leur vie. II
y a du mystere ; Car ils ne se marient jamais, et font
gloire de s abbaisser a faire tout ce que font les
femmes; ils vont pourtant en guerre, mais ils ne
peuuent se seruir que de la massue, et non pas de
1 arc n y de la fleche qui sont les armes propres des
hommes, ils assistent a toutes les jongleries et aux
danses solemnelles qui se font a 1 honneur du Calu
met, ils y chantent mais ils n y peuuent pas danser,

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 129

quently, they have never suffered from famine.
They also sow beans and melons, which are Excel
lent, especially those that have red seeds. Their
Squashes are not of the best ; they dry them in the
sun, to eat them during- The winter and the spring.
Their Cabins are very large, and are Roofed and
floored with mats made of Rushes. They make all
Their utensils of wood, and Their Ladles out of the
heads of cattle, whose Skulls they know so well how
to prepare that they use these ladles with ease for
eating their sagamit6.

They are liberal in cases of illness, and Think that
the effect of the medicines administered to them is in
proportion to the presents given to the physician.
Their garments consist only of skins; the women
are always clad very modestly and very becomingly,
while the men do not take the trouble to Cover them
selves. I know not through what superstition some
Ilinois, as well as some Nadouessi, while still young,
assume the garb of women, and retain it throughout
their lives. There is some mystery in this, For they
never marry and glory in demeaning themselves to
do everything that the women do. They go to war,
however, but can use only clubs, and not bows and
arrows, which are the weapons proper to men. They
are present at all the juggleries, and at the solemn
dances in honor of the Calumet ; at these they sing,
but must not dance. They are summoned to the
Councils, and nothing can be decided without their
advice. Finally, through their profession of leading
an Extraordinary life, they pass for Manitous, That
is to say, for Spirits, or persons of Consequence. 28

There remains no more, except to speak of the
Calumet. There is nothing more mysterious or more

130 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

ils sont appell^s aux Conseils, cm Ton ne pent rien
decider sans leurs aduis; Enfin par la profession
quils font d tme vie Extresordinaire, ils passent pour
des Manitous C est a dire pour des Genies ou des
personnes de Consequence.

II ne reste plus qu a parler du Calumet, il n est
rien parmy eux ny de plus mysterieux n y de plus
recommandable, on ne rend pas tant d honneur aux
Couronnes et aux sceptres des Roys qu ils luy en
rendent ; il semble estre le Dieu de la paix et de la
guerre, 1 Arbitre de la vie et de la mort. C est assez
de le porter sur soy et de le faire voir pour marcher
en assurance au milieu des Ennemys, qui dans le fort
du Combat mettent bas Les armes quand on le montre.
C est pour Cela que les Ilinois m en donnerent un
pour me seruir de sauuegarde parmy toutes les
Nations par lesquelles je deuois passer dans mon voy
age, il y a un Calumet pour La paix et un pour la
guerre, qui ne sont distingue" s que par la Couleur des
plumages dontz ils sont erne s : Le Rouge est marque
de guerre, ils s en seruent encor pour terminer Leur
differents, pour affermir Leurs alliances et pour
parler aux Estrangers. II est compose d une pierre
rouge polie comme du marbre et perce"e d une telle
fa9on qu un bout sert recevoir le tabac et 1 autre
s enclave dans le manche, qui est un baston de deux
pieds de long, gros comme une canne ordinaire et
perce" par le milieu ; il est embelly de la teste et du
col de divers oiseaux, dont le plumage est tres beau ;
ils y ajoutent aussi de grandes plumes rouges, vertes
et d autres couleurs, dont il est tout empanache ;
ils en font estat particulierement, parcequ ils le re-
gardent comme le calumet du Soleil ; et de fait, ils le

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 131

respected among them. Less honor is paid to the
Crowns and scepters of Kings than the Savages
bestow upon this. It seems to be the God of peace
and of war, the Arbiter of life and of death. It has
but to be carried upon one s person, and displayed,
to enable one to walk safely through the midst of
Enemies who, in the hottest of the Fight, lay
down Their arms when it is shown. For That rea
son, the Ilinois gave me one, to serve as a safeguard
among all the Nations through whom I had to pass
during my voyage. There is a Calumet for peace,
and one for war, which are distinguished solely by
the Color of the feathers with which they are adorned ;
Red is a sign of war. They also use it to put an end
to Their disputes, to strengthen Their alliances, and
to speak to Strangers. 27 It is fashioned from a red
stone, polished like marble, and bored in such a
manner that one end serves as a receptacle for the
tobacco, while the other fits into the stem ; this is a
stick two feet long, as thick as an ordinary cane, and
bored through the middle. It is ornamented with
the heads and necks of various birds, whose plumage
is very beautiful. To these they also add large feath
ers, red, green, and other colors, wherewith the
whole is adorned. They have a great regard for it,
because they look upon it as the calumet of the Sun ;
and, in fact, they offer it to the latter to smoke when
they wish to obtain a calm, or rain, or fine weather.
They scruple to bathe themselves at the beginning
of Summer, or to eat fresh fruit, until after they
have performed the dance, which they do as follows:
The Calumet dance, which is very famous among
these peoples, is performed solely for important rea
sons; sometimes to strengthen peace, or to unite

132 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

luy presentent pour fumer quand ils veulent obtenir
du calme, ou de la pluye, ou du bean temps. Ils
font scrupule de se baigner au commencement de
1 Este", ou de manger des fruits nouveaux qu apres
1 avoir dance". En voicy la fa9on.

La dance du Calumet, qui est fort celebre parmi
ces peuples, ne se fait que pour des sujets conside
rables; quelquefois c est pour affermir la paix, ou se
reiinir pour quelque grande guerre; c est d autres
fois pour une rejouissance publique, tantost on en
fait honneur a une Nation qu on invite d y assister,
tantost ils s en servent a la reception de quelque per-
sonne considerable, comme s ils vouloient luy donner
le divertissement du Bal ou de la Comedie; 1 Hyver
la ceremonie se fait dans une Cabane, 1 Este" c est en
raze campagne. La place etant choisie, on 1 envi-
ronne tout a 1 entour d arbres pour metre tout le
monde a 1 ombre de leurs feiiillages, pour se d6fendre
des chaleurs du Soleil; on etend une grande natte
de joncs peinte de diverses couleurs au milieu de la
place; elle sert comme de tapis pour mettre dessus
avec honneur le Dieu de celuy qui fait la Dance ; car
chacun a le sien, qu ils appellent leur Manitou, c est
un serpent ou un oyseau ou chose semblable, qu ils
ont resve" en dormant et en qui ils mettent toute leur
confiance pour le succez de leur guerre, de leur pesche
et de leur chasse : pres de ce Manitou, et a sa droite,
on met le Calumet en 1 honneur de qui se fait la feste
et tout & 1 entour on fait comme une trophe e et on
e"tend les armes dont se servent les guerriers de ces
Nations, S9avoir la massiie, la hache d arme, 1 arc, le
carquois et les Heches.

Les choses estant ainsi disposers et 1 heure de la
Dance approchant, ceux qui sont nommez pour chan-

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 133

themselves for some great war; at other times, for
public rejoicing. Sometimes they thus do honor to
a Nation who are invited to be present ; sometimes
it is danced at the reception of some important per
sonage, as if they wished to give him the diversion
of a Ball or a Comedy. In Winter, the ceremony
takes place in a Cabin; in Summer, in the open
fields. When the spot is selected, it is completely
surrounded by trees, so that all may sit in the shade
afforded by their leaves, in order to be protected
from the heat of the Sun. A large mat of rushes,
painted in various colors, is spread in the middle of
the place, and serves as a carpet upon which to place
with honor the God of the person who gives the
Dance; for each has his own god, which they call
their Manitou. This is a serpent, a bird, or other
similar thing, of which they have dreamed while
sleeping, and in which they place all their confidence
for the success of their war, their fishing, and their
hunting. Near this Manitou, and at its right, is
placed the Calumet in honor of which the feast is
given ; and all around it a sort of trophy is made,
and the weapons used by the warriors of those
Nations are spread, namely: clubs, war-hatchets,
bows, quivers, and arrows.

Everything being thus arranged, and the hour of
the Dance drawing near, those who have been ap
pointed to sing take the most honorable place under
the branches; these are the men and women who
are gifted with the best voices, and who sing together
in perfect harmony. Afterward, all come to take
their seats in a circle under the branches ; but each
one, on arriving, must salute the Manitou. This he
does by inhaling the smoke, and blowing it from his

134 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

ter prennent la place la plus honorable sous les feiiil-
lages : ce sont les hommes et les f emmes qui ont les
plus belles voix, et qui s accordent parfaitement bien
ensemble, tout le monde vient en suite se placer en
rond sous les branches, mais chacun en arrivant doit
saltier le Manitou, ce qu il fait en petunant et jettant
de sa bouche la fume e sur luy comme s il luy pre-
sentoit de 1 encens; chacun va d abord avec respect
prendre le Calumet et le soutenant des deux mains,
il le fait dancer en cadence, s accordant bien avec
1 air des chansons; il luy fait faire des figures bien
differentes, tantost il le fait voir a toute I assembl6e
se [le Martin] tournant de cote" et d autre; apres
cela, celuy qui doit commencer la Danse paroist au
milieu de 1 assemblee, et va d abord, et tantost il le
presente au soleil, comme s il le voulait faire fumer,
tantost il 1 incline vers la terre, d autres fois [et
tantot Martin] il luy e"tend les aisles comme pour
voler, d autres fois il 1 approche de la bouche des
assistans, arm qu ils fument, le tout en cadence; et
c est comme la premiere Scene du Ballet.

La seconde consiste en un Combat qui se fait au
son d une espece de tambour, qui succede au chan
sons, ou mesme qui s y joignant, s accordent fort
bien ensemble : le Danseur fait signe k quelque guer-
rier de venir prendre les armes qui sont sur la natte
et 1 invite a se battre au son des tambours : celui-cy
s approche, prend Tare et la Heche, avec la hache
d armes et commence le duel centre 1 autre, qui n a
point d autre defense que le Calumet. Ce spectacle
est fort agreable, sur tout le faisant tou jours en
cadence; car 1 un attaque, 1 autre se deffend; 1 un
porte des coups, 1 autre les pare; 1 un fuit, 1 autre le
poursuit et puis celuy qui fuyoit tourne visage et

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 135

mouth upon the Manitou, as if he were offering to
it incense. Every one, at the outset, takes the Calu
met in a respectful manner, and, supporting it with
both hands, causes it to dance in cadence, keeping
good time with the air of the songs. He makes it
execute many differing figures ; sometimes he shows
it to the whole assembly, turning himself from one
side to the other. After that, he who is to begin
the Dance appears in the middle of the assembly,
and at once continues this. 28 Sometimes he offers
it to the sun, as if he wished the latter to smoke it;
sometimes he inclines it toward the earth ; again, he
makes it spread its wings, as if about to fly ; at other
times, he puts it near the mouths of those present,
that they may smoke. The whole is done in
cadence; and this is, as it were, the first Scene of
the Ballet.

The second consists of a Combat carried on to the
sound of a kind of drum, which succeeds the songs,
or even unites with them, harmonizing very well
together. The Dancer makes a sign to some
warrior to come to take the arms which lie upon
the mat, and invites him to fight to the sound of
the drums. The latter approaches, takes up the bow
and arrows, and the war- hatchet, and begins the
duel with the other, whose sole defense is the Calu
met. This spectacle is very pleasing, especially as
all is done in cadence; for one attacks, the other
defends himself; one strikes blows, the other parries
them; one takes to flight, the other pursues; and
then he who was fleeing faces about, and causes his
adversary to flee. This is done so well with slow
and measured steps, and to the rhythmic sound of the
voices and drums that it might pass for a very fine

136 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

fait f uir son ennemy ; ce qui se passe si bien par
mesure et a pas comptez et au son regie des voix et
des tambours, que cela pourrait passer pour une
assez belle entree de Ballet en France. La troisieme
Scene consiste en un grand Discours que fait celuy
qui tient le Calumet, car le Combat estant fini sans
sang re"pandu, il raconte les batailles ou il s est trou-
v6, les victoires qu il a remporte es; il nomme les
Nations, les lieux et les Captifs qu il a fait; et pour
recompense celuy qui preside a la Danse luy fait
present d une belle robe de Castor, ou de quelqu autre
chose et 1 ayant receu il va presenter le Calumet a
un autre, celui-ci a un troisieme, et ainsi de tous les
autres, jusques a ce que tous ayant fait leur devoir, le
President fait present du Calumet mesme a la Nation
qui a este invitee a cette Ceremonie, pour marque
de la paix eternelle qui sera entre les deux peuples.

Voicy quelqu une des Chansons qu ils ont cotitume
de chanter, ils leur donnent un certain tour [ton
Martin] qu on ne peut assez exprimer par la Notte,
qui neanmoins en fait tout la grace.

Ninahani, ninahani ninahani nani ongo.

SECTION 7 feMB . DEPART DU PERE DES ILINOIS : DES

MONSTRES EN PEINTURE QU lL A VEU SUR LA

GRANDE RIUIERE MISSISIPI : DE LA RIUIERE

PEKITANOUI. CONTINUATION DU VOYAGE.

NOUS prenons conge* de nos Ilinois sur la fin de
Juin, vers les trois heures apres midy, nous
nous embarquons a la veue de tous ces peuples,
qui admiroient nos petits Canots, n en ayant jamais
veu de semblables.

Nous descendons suivant le courant de la riviere
appelle Pekitanoiii, qui se dcharge dans Mississipy

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 137

opening of a Ballet in France. The third Scene con
sists of a lofty Discourse, delivered by him who
holds the Calumet; for, when the Combat is ended
without bloodshed, he recounts the battles at which
he has been present, the victories that he has won,
the names of the Nations, the places, and the Cap
tives whom he has made. And, to reward him, he
who presides at the Dance makes him a present of a
fine robe of Beaver-skins, or some other article.
Then, having received it, he hands the Calumet to
another, the latter to a third, and so on with all the
others, until every one has done his duty ; then the
President presents the Calumet itself to the Nation
that has been invited to the Ceremony, as a token of
the everlasting peace that is to exist between the
two peoples.

Here is one of the Songs that they are in the habit
of singing. They give it a certain turn which
cannot be sufficiently expressed by Note, but which
nevertheless constitutes all its grace.

Ninahani, ninahani, ninahani, nani

SECTION 7TH. DEPARTURE OF THE FATHER FROM THE

ILINOIS; OF THE PAINTED MONSTERS WHICH HE SAW

UPON THE GREAT RIVER MISSISIPI ; OF THE RIVER

PEKITANOUI. CONTINUATION OF THE VOYAGE. 30

WE take leave of our Ilinois at the end of June,
about three o clock in the afternoon. We
embark in the sight of all the people, who admire
our little Canoes, for they have never seen any like
them.

We descend, following the current of the river
called Pekitanoui, which discharges into the Mis-
sissipy, flowing from the Northwest. I shall have

138 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

venant du Nord-Oiiest de la quelle j ay quelque chose
de considerable a dire, apres que j auray raconte* ce
que j ay remarque sur cette riviere.

passant proche des rochers assez hautz qui bordent
la riuiere, J apperceu un simple qui m a paru fort
Extraordinair. La racine est semblable a des petitz
naueaux attachez les uns aux autres par les petitz
filetz qui ont le gout de carote ; de cette racine sort vne
feuille large Comme la main espaisses d un demy doigt
auec des taches au milieu, de cette feuille, naissent
d autres feuilles semblables aux plaques qui seruent
de flambeaux dans nos sales, et chasque feuille porte
Cinq ou six fleurs jaunes en forme de Clochettes.

Nous trouuames quantite" de meures aussi grosses
que Celle de france, et un petit fruict que nous
prismes d abord pour des oliues, mais il auoit le gout
d orange, et un aultre fruit gros Comme vn ceuf de
poule, nous le fendismes en deux, et parurent deux
separations, dans chasqu une desquelles il y a 8 ou 10
fruitz enchasse s, ils ont la figure d amande et sont
fort bons quand ils sont meurs; L arbre neamoins
qui les porte a tres mauuaise odeur, et sa feuille res-
semble a Celle de noyer, il se trouue aussi dans Les
prairies un fruit semblable a des Noisettes mais plus
tendre; Les feuilles sont fort grandes, et viennent
d une tige au bout de laquelle est une teste sem
blable a Celle d un tournesol, dans laquelle toutes
ses Noisettes sont proprement arrangers, elle sont
fort bonnes et Cuites et Crues.

Comme nous Cottoions des roches affreux pour
Leur haulteur et pour leur Longour ; Nous vismes
sur un de ces roches deux monstres en peinture qui
Nous firent peur d abord et sur Lesquels les sauuages
les plus hardys n osent pas arrester Longtemps les

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S FIRST VO YA GE 139

something important to say about it, when I shall
have related all that I observed along this river. 31

While passing near the rather high rocks that line
the river, I noticed a simple which seemed to me
very Extraordinary. The root is like small turnips
fastened together by little filaments, which taste like
carrots. From this root springs a leaf as wide As
one s hand, and half a finger thick, with spots.
From the middle of this leaf spring other leaves,
resembling the sconces used for candles in our halls ;
and each leaf bears Five or six yellow flowers shaped
like little Bells.

We found quantities of mulberries, as large as
Those of france ; and a small fruit which we at first
took for olives, but which tasted like oranges ; and
another fruit as large As a hen s egg. We cut it in
halves, and two divisions appeared, in each of which
8 to 10 fruits were encased; these are shaped like
almonds, and are very good when ripe. Never
theless, The tree that bears them has a very bad odor,
and its leaves resemble Those of the walnut-tree.
In These prairies there is also a fruit similar to
Hazelnuts, but more delicate; The leaves are very
large, and grow from a stalk at the end of which is
a head similar to That of a sunflower, in which all
its Nuts are regularly arranged. These are very
good, both Cooked and Raw. 33

While Skirting some rocks, which by Their height
and Length inspired awe, We saw upon one of them
two painted monsters which at first made Us afraid,
and upon Which the boldest savages dare not Long
rest their eyes. They are as large As a calf; they
have Horns on their heads Like those of deer, a
horrible look, red eyes, a beard Like a tiger s, a face

140 LES RELA T JONS DES JES UITES [ VOL. 59

yeux; ils sont gros Comme vn veau. ils ont des
Comes en teste Comme des cheureils; un regard
affreux, des yeux rouges, une barbe Comme d un
tygre, la face a quelque chose de I homme, le corps
Couuert d ecailles, et La queue si Longue qu elle fait
tout le tour du Corps passant par dessus la teste et
retournant entre les jambes elle se termine en queue
de Poisson. Le vert, Le rouge et Le noirastre sont
les trois Couleurs qui Le Composent : au reste ces 2
monstres sont si bien peint que nous ne pouuons pas
croire qu aucun sauuage en soit L autheur, puisque
Les bons peintres en france auroient peine a si bien
faire, veuque d ailleurs ils sont si hauts sur le rocher
qu il est difficile d y atteindre Commodement pour les
peindre. voicy a peu pres La figure de ces monstres
Comme nous L auons Contretiree.

Comme nous entretenions sur ces monstres,
voguant paisiblement dans vne belle Eau claire et
dormante nous entredisme le bruit d un rapide, dans
lequel nous allions tomber. Je n ay rien veu de plus
affreux, vn ambaras de gros arbres entiers, de
branches, & islets flotans, sortoit de L embouchure
de La riuiere pekistanoui auec tant d impetuosite
qu on ne pouuoit s exposer a passer au trauers sans
grand danger. L agitation estoit telle que 1 eau en
estoit toute boueuse et ne pouuoit s epurer.

Pekitanoui est une riuiere Considerable qui venant
d assez Loing du Coste du Noroiiest, se de"charge
dans Missisipi, plusieures Bourgades de sauuages
sont placets le long de cette riuiere, et j espere par
son moyen faire la de"couuerte de la mer vermeille
ou de Californie.

Nous jugeons bien par Le Rund de vent que tient
Missisipi, si elle Continue dans la mesme route,

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 141

somewhat like a man s, a body Covered with scales,
and so Long A tail that it winds all around the Body,
passing above the head and going back between the
legs, ending in a Fish s tail. Green, red, and black
are the three Colors composing the Picture. More
over, these 2 monsters are so well painted that we
cannot believe that any savage is their author ; for
good painters in france would find it difficult to paint
so well, and, besides, they are so high up on the
rock that it is difficult to reach that place Conven
iently to paint them. Here is approximately The
shape of these monsters, As we have faithfully
Copied It. 33

While conversing about these monsters, sailing
quietly in clear and calm Water, we heard the noise
of a rapid, into which we were about to run. I have
seen nothing more dreadful. An accumulation of
large and entire trees, branches, and floating islands,
was issuing from The mouth of The river pekistanoui,
with such impetuosity that we could not without
great danger risk passing through it. So great was
the agitation that the water was very muddy, and
could not become clear.

Pekitanoui is a river of Considerable size, coming
from the Northwest, from a great Distance ; and it
discharges into the Missisipi. There are many Vil
lages of savages along this river, and I hope by its
means to discover the vermillion or California sea.

Judging from The Direction of the course of the
Missisipi, if it Continue the same way, we think that
it discharges into the mexican gulf. It would be a
great advantage to find the river Leading to the
southern sea, toward California; and, As I have said,
this is what I hope to do by means of the Pekitanoui ,

142 LES RELATIONS DES JESU1TES [VOL. 5

qu elle a sa de"charge dans le golphe mexique ; il
seroit bien aduantageux de trouuer celle qui Conduit
a la mer du sud, vers la Californie, et c est Comme
j ay dit ce que j espere de rencontrer par PeKitanoui
suiuant le rapport que m en ont fait les sauuages,
desquels, jay appris qu en refoullant cette riuiere
pendant 5 ou 6 Journe"es on trouue vne belle prairie
de 20 ou 30 Lieues de Long, il faut la trauerser allant
au Noroiiest, elle se termine a vne autre petite
riuiere, sur laquelle on peut s embarquer, n e"tant
pas bien difficile de transporter les Canotz par vn si
beau pays tel qu est cette prairie. Cette 2 de . Riuiere
a son Cours vers Le suroiiest pendant 10 ou 15 Lieues
apres quoy elle entre dans un petit Lac profond [qui
est la source d une autre riviere profonde, substituted
by Dablon}, laquelle va au Couchant, ou elle se jette
dans La mer. je ne doubte presque point que ce ne
soit La mer vermeille, et je ne desespere pas d en faire
un jour La de"couuerte, si Dieu m en fait la grace et me
donne La sante affin de pouuoir publier L Euangile a
tous Les peuples de ce nouueau monde, qui ont Croupi
si Longtemps dans les tenebres de L infidelite .

Reprenons nostre Route apres nous estre Eschapes
Comme Nous auons pu de ce dangereux rapide Cause
par L ambaras dont jay parle".

SECTION 8 EME . DES NOUVEAU PAYS QUE LE PERE DE-
COUVRE : DIVERSES PARTICULARITES RENCONTRE
DE QUELQUES SAUVAGES ; PREMIERES NOUVELLES
DE LA MER ET DES EUROPEANS. GRAND DAN
GER EVITE PAR LE MOYEN DU CALUMET.

APRES avoir fait environ 20 Lieues droit au sud et
un peu moins au sudest nous nous trouvons a
une riviere nominee ouaboukigou dont L embouchure

1673 - 77] MARQ UETTE S FIRST VO YA GE 143

according to the reports made to me by the savages.
From them I have learned that, by ascending this
river for 5 or 6 Days, one reaches a fine prairie, 20
or 30 Leagues Long. This must be crossed in a
Northwesterly direction, and it terminates at another
small river, on which one may embark, for it is
not very difficult to transport Canoes through so fine
a country as that prairie. This 2nd River Flows
toward The southwest for 10 or 15 Leagues, after
which it enters a Lake, small and deep [the source
of another deep river substituted by Dablori\, which
flows toward the West, where it falls into The sea. 34
I have hardly any doubt that it is The vermillion
sea, and I do not despair of discovering It some day,
if God grant me the grace and The health to do so,
in order that I may preach The Gospel to all The
peoples of this new world who have so Long
Groveled in the darkness of infidelity.

Let us resume our Route, after Escaping As best
We could from the dangerous rapid Caused by The
obstruction which I have mentioned.

SECTION 8TH. OF THE NEW COUNTRIES DISCOVERED
BY THE FATHER. VARIOUS PARTICULARS. MEET
ING WITH SOME SAVAGES. FIRST NEWS OF THE
SEA AND OF EUROPEANS. GREAT DANGER
AVOIDED BY MEANS OF THE CALUMET.

AFTER proceeding about 20 Leagues straight to the
south, and a little less to the southeast, we
found ourselves at a river called ouaboukigou, The
mouth of which is at the 36th degree of latitude.
Before reaching it, we passed by a Place that is
dreaded by the Savages, because they believe that a
manitou is there, that is to say, a demon, that

144 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

est par les 36 degrez d elevation. Avant que d y
arriver nous passons par un Lieu redoutable aux Sau
vages parcequ ils estiment qu il y a un manitou c est
a dire un demon qui devore Les passans, et c est
dequoy nous menacoient Les sauvages qui nous
vouloient detourner de nostre entreprise. voicy ce
demon, c est une petite anse de rochers haulte de 20
pieds ou se degorge tout Le Courant de la riviere
Lequel estant repousse" centre celuy qui Le suit et
arreste" par une Isle qui est proche, est Contraint de
passer par un petit Canal, ce qui ne se fait pas sans un
furieux Combat de toutes ces eaux qui rebroussent
Les unes sur Les autres et sans un grand tintamarre
qui donne de la terreur a des sauvages qui craignent
tout, mais cela ne nous empeche point de passer et
d arriver a tfabtfkigtf. Cette riviere vient des terres
du Levant ou sont les peuples qu on appelle Chaoua-
nons, en si grand nombre qu en un quartier on
Compte jusqua 23 villages et 15 en un aultre assez
proches Les uns des aultres ; ils ne sont nullement
guerriers, et ce sont les peuples que les Iroquois vont
chercher si loing pour Leur faire la guerre sans
aucun sujet, et parceque ces pauvres gens ne scavent
pas se deffendre, ils se laissent prendre et emmener
Comme des trouppeaux, et tout innocents qu ils sont,
ils ne laissent pas de ressentir quelque fois La
barbarie des Iroquois qui Les bruslent cruellement.
Un peu au dessus de cette riviere dont ie viens de
parler sont des falaises ou nos francois ont appercue
une mine de fer qu ils jugent tres abondante, il y en
a plusieures veines et un lit d un pied de hauteur;
on en voit de gros morceaux liez avec des Cailloux.
II s y trouve d une terre grasse de trois sortes de

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 145

devours travelers; and The savages, who wished to
divert us from our undertaking, warned us against
it. This is the demon: there is a small cove, sur
rounded by rocks 20 feet high, into which The whole
Current of the river rushes; and, being pushed back
against the waters following It, and checked by an
Island near by, the Current is Compelled to pass
through a narrow Channel. This is not done with
out a violent Struggle between all these waters,
which force one another back, or without a great din,
which inspires terror in the savages, who fear every
thing. But this did not prevent us from passing,
and arriving at Waboukigou. 35 This river flows
from the lands of the East, where dwell the people
called Chaouanons in so great numbers that in one
district there are as many as 23 villages, and 15 in
another, quite near one another. They are not at
all warlike, and are the nations whom the Iroquois
go so far to seek, and war against without any rea
son; and, because these poor people cannot defend
themselves, they allow themselves to be captured
and taken Like flocks of sheep ; and, innocent though
they are, they nevertheless sometimes experience
The barbarity of the Iroquois, who cruelly burn
Them. 36

A short distance above the river of which I have
just spoken are cliffs, on which our frenchmen noticed
an iron mine, which they consider very rich. There
are several veins of ore, and a bed a foot thick, and
one sees large masses of it united with Pebbles. A
sticky earth is found there, of three different colors
purple, violet, and Red. The water in which the
latter is washed assumes a bloody tinge. There is
also very heavy, red sand. I placed some on a

146 LES RELATIONS DES jS UITES [VOL. 5

couleurs, de pourpre, de violet, et des Rouges.
L eau dans laquelle on la lave prend la couleur de
sang. II y a aussi d un sable rouge fort pesant.
J en mis sur un aviron qui en prit la couleur si forte-
ment, que L eau ne la put effacer pendant 15 jours
que je m en servois pour nager.

C est icy que nous Commencons a voir des Cannes
ou gros roseaux qui sont sur le bord de la riviere,
elles ont un vert fort agreable, tous les noeuds sont
couronnez de feiiilles Longues, estroittes et pointties,
elles sont fort hautes et en si grande quantite* que
Les bceufs sauvages ont peine de les forcer.

Jusqua present nous n avions point estez incom-
mode s Les maringouins, mais nous entrons comme
dans leur pays. Voicy ce que font les sauvages de
ces quartiers pour s en deffendre; ils elevent un
eschaffault dont le plancher n est fait que de perches,
et par consequent est perce a jour affinque la fume*e
du feu qu ils font dessous passe au travers et chasse
ces petitz animaux qui ne la peuvent supporter, on
se couche sur les perches au dessus desquelles sont
des escorces estendiies contre la pluye. Get eschaf
fault leur sert encor contre Les chaleurs excessives
et Insupportables de ce pays, car on s y met a
1 ombre a 1 estage d en bas, et on si garantit des ray
ons du soleil, prenant le frais du vent qui passe
librement autravers de cet eschaffault

Dans le mesme dessein nous fusmes contraincts de
faire sur L eau une espace de cabane avec nos voiles
pour nous mettre a couvert et des maringouins et des
rayons du soleil, comme nous nous laissions aller en
cet estat au gre" de L eau, nous apperceumes a terre
des sauvages armez de fusils avec lesquels ils nous

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S FIRST VO YA GE 147

paddle, which was dyed with, its color so deeply
that The water could not wash it away during the
15 days while I used it for paddling.

Here we Began to see Canes, or large reeds, which
grow on the bank of the river; their color is a very
pleasing green ; all the nodes are marked by a Crown
of Long, narrow, and pointed leaves. They are very
high, and grow so thickly that The wild cattle have
some difficulty in forcing their way through them.

Hitherto, we had not suffered any inconvenience
from mosquitoes; but we were entering into their
home, as it were. This is what the savages of this
quarter do to protect themselves against them. They
erect a scaffolding, the floor of which consists only
of poles, so that it is open to the air in order that
the smoke of the fire made underneath may pass
through, and drive away those little creatures, which
cannot endure it; the savages lie down upon the
poles, over which bark is spread to keep off rain.
These scaffoldings also serve them as protection
against The excessive and Unbearable heat of this
country; for they lie in the shade, on the floor
below, and thus protect themselves against the sun s
rays, enjoying the cool breeze that circulates freely
through the scaffolding.

With the same object, we were compelled to erect
a sort of cabin on The water, with our sails as a pro
tection against the mosquitoes and the rays of the
sun. While drifting down with The current, in this
condition, we perceived on land some savages armed
with guns, who awaited us. I at once offered them
my plumed calumet, while our frenchmen prepared
for defense, but delayed firing, that The savages
might be the first to discharge their guns. I spoke

148 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

attendoient; Je leur presentay d abord mon calumet
empanache pendant que nos francois se mettent en
deffense, et attendoient a tirer, que Les sauvages
eussent fait la premiere decharge; je leur parlay en
huron, mais ils me repondirent par un mot qui me
sembloit nous declarer la guerre, ils avoient nean-
moins autant de peur que nous, et ceque nous
prenions pour signal de guerre, estoit une Invitation
qu ils nous faisoit de nous approcher, pour nous
donner a manger; Nous debarquons done et nous
entrons dans leur Cabanes ou ils nous presente du
bceuf sauvage et de 1 huile d ours, avec des prunes
blanches qui sont tres excellentes. Ils ont des fusils,
des haches, des houes, des Cousteaux de La rassade,
des bouteilles de verre double ou ils mettent Leur
poudre, ils ont Les cheveux longs, et se marquent
par le corps a la fa9on des hiroquois ; les femmes
sont coiffees et vestues a la fa9on des huronnes, ils
nous assurerent qu ils n y avoient plus que dix jour-
nees jusqua La mer, qu ils acheptoient Les estoffes
et toutes autres marchandise des Europeans qui
estoient du coste de L est, que ces Europeans avoient
des chapeletz, et des images, qu ils jouoient des
Instrumentz, qu il y en avoitqui estoient faitzComme
moy, et qu ils en estoient bien recue; Cependant
je ne vis personne qui me parut avoir recue aucune
instruction pour la foy, je Leurs en donnay ceque je
pus avec quelques medailles.

Ces nouvelles animerent nos courages et nous firent
prendre L aviron avec une Nouvelle ardeur. Nous
avangons done, et nous ne voions plus tant de prai
ries, parceque les 2 costez de La riviere sont borde"z
de hauts bois. Les cottonniers, Les ormes, et les

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 149

to them in huron, but they answered me by a word
which seemed to me a declaration of war against us.
However, they were as frightened as we were ; and
what we took for a signal for battle was an Invita
tion that they gave us to draw near, that they might
give us food. We therefore landed, and entered their
Cabins, where they offered us meat from wild cattle
and bear s grease, with white plums, which are very
good. They have guns, hatchets, hoes, Knives,
beads, and flasks of double glass, in which they put
Their powder. They wear Their hair long, and
tattoo their bodies after the hiroquois fashion. The
women wear head-dresses and garments like those of
the huron women. They assured us that we were
no more than ten days journey from The sea; that
they bought cloth and all other goods from the
Europeans who lived to The east, that these Euro
peans had rosaries and pictures; that they played
upon Instruments; that some of them looked Like
me, and had been received by these savages kindly.
Nevertheless, I saw none who seemed to have
received any instruction in the faith ; I gave Them
as much as I could, with some medals. 37

This news animated our courage, and made us
paddle with Fresh ardor. We thus push forward,
and no longer see so many prairies, because both
shores of The river are bordered with lofty trees.
The cottonwood, elm, and basswood trees there are
admirable for Their height and thickness. The
great numbers of wild cattle, which we heard bel
lowing, lead us to believe that The prairies are near.
We also saw Quail on the water s edge. We killed
a little parroquet, one half of whose head was red,
The other half and The Neck yellow, and The whole

150 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

bois blancs y sont admirables pour Leur haulteur, et
Leur grosseur. La grande quantite de bceufs sau-
vages que nous entendions meugler nous fait croire
que Les prairies sont proches : Nous voions aussi des
Cailles sur 1 aborde de L eau; nous avons tue" un
petit perroquet qui avoit la moitie de la teste rouge,
L autre et Le Col jaune, et tout Le corps vert.
Nous estions descendus proche des 33 degrez d es-
levation ayant presque tousjours este Vers Le sud,
quand nous apperceumes un village sur Le bord de
L eau nomine" Mitchigamea; Nous eumes recours a
nostre Patrone et a nostre conductrice La Ste VIERGE
IMMACULEE, et nous avions bien besoin de son assis
tance, Car nous entendisme de loing Les sauvages
qui s animoient au Combat par leurs crys Continuels ;
ils estoient armes d arcs, de fleches, de baches, de
massiies, et de boucliers ; ils se mirent en estat de
nous attaquer par terre, et par eau; un partie s em-
barque dans de grand canotz de bois, les uns pour
monter la riviere ; Les autres pour la descendre, affin
de nous Coupper chemin, et nous envelopper de tous
costez ; Ceux qui estoient a terre alloient et venoient
comme pour commencer L attaque ; De fait de
Jeunes hommes se jetterent a L eau, pour se venir
saisir de mon Canot, mais le courant Les ayant con-
traint de reprendre terre, un deux nous jetta sa
massue qui passa par dessus nous sans nous f rapper ;
J avois beau montrer Le calumet, et leur faire signe
par gestes que nous ne venions pas en guerre; L a-
larme continuoit tousjour et Ton se preparoit deia a
nous percer de fleches de toutes parts quand Dieu
toucha soudainment le coeur des viellards qui
estoient sur la bord de 1 eau sans doubte par la veiie

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 151

body green. We had gone down to near the 33rd
degree of latitude having proceeded nearly all the
time in a southerly direction, when we perceived a
village on The water s edge called Mitchigamea. 38
We had recourse to our Patroness and guide, The
Blessed VIRGIN IMMACULATE; and we greatly needed
her assistance, For we heard from afar The savages
who were inciting one another to the Fray by their
Continual yells. They were armed with bows,
arrows, hatchets, clubs, and shields. They prepared
to attack us, on both land and water; part of them
embarked in great wooden canoes some to ascend,
others to descend the river, in order to Intercept us
and surround us on all sides. Those who were on
land came and went, as if to commence The attack.
In fact, some Young men threw themselves into The
water, to come and seize my Canoe ; but the current
compelled Them to return to land. One of them
then hurled his club, which passed over without
striking us. In vain I showed The calumet, and
made them signs that we were not coming to war
against them. The alarm continued, and they were
already preparing to pierce us with arrows from all
sides, when God suddenly touched the hearts of the
old men, who were standing at the water s edge.
This no doubt happened through the sight of our
Calumet, which they had not clearly distinguished
from afar; but as I did not cease displaying it, they
were influenced by it, and checked the ardor of their
Young men. Two of these elders even, after
casting into our canoe, as if at our feet, Their bows
and quivers, to reassure us entered the canoe, and
made us approach the shore, whereon we landed,
not without fear on our part. At first, we had to

152 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5

de nostre Calumet qu ils n avoient pas bien reconnu
de loing, mais comme je ne cessois de le faire
paroistre, ils en furent touchez arresterent 1 ardeur
de leur Jeunesse, et mesme deux de ces anciens ayant
jettez dans nostre canot comme a nos pieds Leurs
arcs et Leurs carquois pour nous mettre en asseu-
rance, ils y entrerent et nous firent approcher de
terre, ou nous debarquames non pas sans crainte de
nostre part, il fallut au commencement parler par
gestes, parceque personne n entendoit rien de six
langues que je scavois, il se trouva enfin un viellard
qui parloit un peu L llinois.

Nous leurs fimes paroistre par nos presens que
nous allions a la mer, ils entendirent bien ce que
nous Leur voulions dire, mais je ne scay s ils con-
ceurent ceque je leurs dis de Dieu et des choses de
leur salut, c est une semence jette"e en terre qui fruc-
tifira en son temps. Nous n eusmes point d autre
reponse sinon que nous apprendrions tous ce que nous
desirions d un aultre grand village nomine" Akamsea
qui n estoit qu a 8 ou 10 lieues plus bas, ils nous
presenterent de la sagamite et du poisson, et nous
passames La nuict chez eux avec assez d inquietude.

SECTION 9 EMB . RECEPTION QU ON FAIT AUX FRANCOIS

DANS LA DERNIERE DES BOURGADES QU lLS ONT

VEUES. LES MCEURS & FACONS DE FAIRE DE CES

SAUVAGES. RAISONS POUR NE PAS PASSER OUTRE.

NOUS embarquames le lendemain de grand matins
avec nostre interprette ; un canot ou estoient
dix sauvages alloit un peu devant nous ; estant arri-
ve"s a une demie lieue des Akamsea, nous vismes

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 153

speak by signs, because none of them understood the
six languages which I spoke. At last, we found an
old man who could speak a little Ilinois.

We informed them, by our presents, that we were
going to the sea. They understood very well what
we wished to say to Them, but I know not whether
they apprehended what I told them about God, and
about matters pertaining to their salvation. This is
a seed cast into the ground, which will bear fruit in
its time. We obtained no other answer than that we
would learn all that we desired at another large vil
lage, called Akamsea, which was only 8 or 10 leagues
lower down. They offered us sagamite and fish,
and we passed The night among them, with some
anxiety.

SECTION 9TH. RECEPTION GIVEN TO THE FRENCH

IN THE LAST VILLAGE WHICH THEY SAW. THE

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THOSE SAVAGES.

REASONS FOR NOT GOING FARTHER.

WE embarked early on the following day, with
our interpreter ; a canoe containing ten sav
ages went a short distance ahead of us. When we
arrived within half a league of the Akamsea, 39 we
saw two canoes coming to meet us. He who com
manded stood upright, holding in his hand The calu
met, with Which he made various signs, according
to the custom of the country. He joined us, singing
very agreeably, and gave us tobacco to smoke ; after
that, he offered us sagamite*, and bread made of
indian corn, of which we ate a little. He then
preceded us, after making us a sign to follow Him
slowly. A place had been prepared for us under
The scaffolding of the chief of the warriors ; it was

154 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

paroistre deux canotz qui venoient au devant de nous :
Oeluy qui y commandoit estoit debout tenant en
main Le calumet, avec Lequel il faisoit plusieurs
gestes selon la coustume du pays, il vint nous joindre
en chantant assez agreablement, et nous donna a
fumer, apres quoy il nous presenta de la sagamite" et
du pain fait de bled d inde, dont nous mangeammes
un peu; Ensuitte il prit le devant nous ayant fait
signe de venir doucement apres Luy: on nous avoit
prepaid un place sous L eschaffault du chef des guer-
riers, elle estoit propre et tapissee de belles nattes
de jonc, sur Lesquelles on nous fit asseoir, ayant
autour de nous les anciens, qui estoient plus proches ;
apres Les guerriers et enfin tout Le peuple en foule.
Nous trouvames la par bonheur un Jeune homme
qui entendoit L llinois beaucoup mieux que L lnter-
prette que nous avions amene de Mitchigamea, ce fut
par son moyen que je parlay d abord a toute cette
assemble par Les presens ordinaires : ils admiroient
ce que je Leurs disois de Dieu et des mysteres de
nostre s te f oy ; ils f aisoient paroistre un grand desir
de me retenir avec eux pour Les pouvoir instruire

Nous leurs demandames ensuitte ce qu ils scavoient
de la mer; ils nous repondirent que nous n en estions
qu a dix journe"es; nous aurions pu faire ce chemin
en 5 jours; qu ils ne connoissoient pas Les Nations
qui L habitoient a cause que Leurs ennemys Les
empechoient d avoir Commerce avec ces Europeans,
que les haches, Cousteaux, et rassade que nous voions
Leur estoient vendues en partie par des Nations de
L est, et en partie par une bourgade D llinois place e
a L ouest a quattre journe"es de la; que ces sauvages
que nous avons rencontres qui avoient des fusils

3
C
ff

*

2 H

- ; 1

5". m

I \

crq ;.

| y

o _-

s 5c

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 155

clean, and carpeted with fine rush mats. Upon
These we were made to sit, having around us the
elders, who were nearest to us; after them, The war
riors ; and, finally, all The common people in a crowd.
We fortunately found there a Young man who under
stood Ilinois much better than did The Interpreter
whom we had brought from Mitchigamea. Through
him, I spoke at first to the whole assembly by The
usual presents. They admired what I said to Them
about God and the mysteries of our holy faith.
They manifested a great desire to retain me among
them, that I might instruct Them.

We afterward asked them what they knew about
the sea. They replied that we were only ten days
journey from it we could have covered the distance
in 5 days; that they were not acquainted with The
Nations who dwelt There, because Their enemies
prevented Them from Trading with those Europeans ;
that the hatchets, Knives, and beads that we saw
were sold to Them partly by Nations from The east,
and partly by an Ilinois village situated at four days
journey from their village westward. They also
told us that the savages with guns whom we had
met were Their Enemies, who barred Their way to
the sea, and prevented Them from becoming ac
quainted with the Europeans, and from carrying on
any trade with them; that, moreover, we exposed
ourselves to great dangers by going farther, on
account of the continual forays of their enemies along
the river, because, as they had guns and were very
warlike, we could not without manifest danger
proceed down the river, which they constantly
occupy.

During this conversation, food was continually

156 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

estoient Leurs Ennemys, lesquels Leurs fermoient
le passage de la mer, et Les empechoient d avoir
connoissance des Europeans, et d avoir avec eux
aucun commerce; qu au reste nous nous exposions
beau coup de passer plus oultre a cause des courses
continuelles que leurs ennemys font sur la riviere,
qui ayant des fusils et estant fort agguerris, nous ne
pouvions pas sans un danger evident avancer sur
cette riviere qu ils occupent continuellement.

Pendant cet entretien, on nous apportoit conti
nuellement a manger dans de grands platz de bois,
tantost de la sagamite , tantost du bled entier, tantost
d un morceaux de chien, toute La journee se passa
en festins. Ces peuples sont assez officieux et libe-
raux de ce qu ils ont, mais ils sont miserable pour
Le vivre, nosant aller a la chasse des boeufs sauvages
a cause de Leurs Ennemys, il est vray qu ils ont le
bled d inde en abondance, qu ils sement en toutes
saisons, nous en vismes en mesme temps qui estoient
en maturit^. D autre qui ne faisoit que pousser, et
1 autre qui estoit en Laict, de sorte qu ils sement trois
fois 1 an. Ils le font cuire dans de grands potz de
terre qui sont fort bien faits. ils ont aussi des
assi6tes de terres cuitte dontz ils se servent a divers
usages, les hommes vont nuds, portant Les cheveux
courtz; ont le n6z perce d ou pend de la rassade
aussi bien que de Leurs oreilles: les femmes sont
vestues de meschantes peaux, noiient Leurs cheveux
en deux tresses qu elles jettent derriere les oreilles,
et n ont aucune rarete" pour se parer. Leurs festins
se font sans aucune ceremonie, ils presentent aux In-
vitez de grand platz dontz chascun mange a discre
tion, et se donnent les restes, Les uns aux autres.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 157

brought to us in large wooden platters, consisting
sometimes of sagamite, sometimes of whole corn,
sometimes of a piece of dog s flesh. The entire day
was spent in feasting. These people are very
obliging and liberal with what they have; but
they are wretchedly provided with food, for they
dare not go and hunt wild cattle, on account of
Their Enemies. It is true that they have an
abundance of indian corn, which they sow at all
seasons. We saw at the same time some that
was ripe, some other that had only sprouted, and
some again in the Milk, so that they sow it three
times a year. They cook it in great earthern jars,
which are very well made. 40 They have also plates
of baked earth which they use in various ways.
The men go naked, and wear Their hair short ; they
pierce their noses, from which, as well as from Their
ears, hang beads. The women are clad in wretched
skins; they knot Their hair in two tresses which
they throw behind their ears, and have no ornaments
with which to adorn themselves. Their feasts are
given without any ceremony. They offer the
Guests large dishes, from which all eat at discretion
and offer what is left to one another. Their language
is exceedingly difficult, and I could succeed in pro
nouncing only a few words notwithstanding all my
efforts. Their Cabins, which are made of bark, are
Long and Wide ; they sleep at the two ends, which
are raised two feet above the ground. They keep
Their corn in large baskets made of Canes, or in
gourds as large as half-barrels. They know nothing
of the Beaver. Their wealth consists in the skins
of wild cattle. They never see snow in their coun
try, and recognize The winter only through The

168 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Leur langue est extremement difficile, et je ne
pouvois venir about d en prononcer quelques motz,
quelque effort que je pusse faire. Leurs Cabannes
qui sont faites d escorce sont Longues et Larges, ils
couchent au deux boutz, elevez de deux pieds de
terre; Ils y gardent Leurs bled dans de grands
pannier faits de Cannes ou dans des gourdes grosses
comme des demy bariques. Ils ne scavent ce que
c est que le Castor. Leurs richesses consistent en
peaux de boeufs sauvages; ils ne voient jamais de
neige chez eux, et ne connoissent L hyver que par
Les pluyes qui y tombent plus sou vent qu en este;
nous n y avons pas mange" de fruictz que des melons
d eau. S ils scavoient cultiver leur terre, ils en
auroient de toutes les sortes.

Le soir les anciens firent un conseil secret dans le
dessein que quelqu uns avoient de nous casser la teste
pour nous piller, mais le Chef rompit toutes ces
mene es nous ayant envoye querir pour marque de
parfaitte asseurance il dansa le calumet devant nous,
de la fafons que j ay descript cy dessus, et pour nous
oster toute crainte, il m en fit present.

Nous fismes Mr Jolliet et Moy un aultre Conseil,
pour deliberer sur ce que nous avions a faire si nous
pousserions oultre ou si nous nous contenterions de
la decouverte que nous avions faite. Apres avoir
attend vement considere" que nous n estions pas loing
du golphe Mexique dont le bassin estant a la haulteur
de 31 degrez 60 minutes, et nous nous trouvant a 33,
40 minutes, nous ne pouvions pas en estre eloignez
plus de 2 ou 3 journeys qu indubitablement la riviere
Missisipi avoit sa decharge dans la floride ou golphe
Mexique, n on pas du coste de L est dans la Vir-

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE

rains, which there fall more frequently than in sum
mer. We ate no other fruit there than watermelons.
If they knew how to till their soil, they would have
fruits of all kinds.

In the evening, the elders held a secret council, in
regard to the design entertained by some to break
our heads and rob us ; but the Chief put a stop to all
these plots. After sending for us, he danced the
calumet before us, in the manner I have already
described, as a token of our entire safety; and, to-
relieve us of all fear, he made me a present of it.

Monsieur Jolliet and I held another Council, to
deliberate upon what we should do whether we
should push on, or remain content with the discovery
which we had made. After attentively considering
that we were not far from the gulf of Mexico, the basin
of which is at the latitude of 3 1 degrees 60 minutes,
while we were at 33 degrees 40 minutes, we judged
that we could not be more than 2 or 3 days journey
from it ; and that, beyond a doubt, the Missisipi river
discharges into the florida or Mexican gulf, and not to
The east in Virginia, whose sea-coast is at 34 degrees
latitude, which we had passed, without, however >
having as yet reached the sea, or to the west in Cali
fornia, because in that case our route would have
been to The west, or the west-southwest, whereas
we had always continued It toward the south. We
further considered that we exposed ourselves to the
risk of losing the results of this voyage, of which
we could give no information if we proceeded to
fling ourselves into the hands of the Spaniards who,
without doubt, would at least have detained us as
captives. Moreover, we saw very plainly that we
were not in a condition to resist Savages allied to

160 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

ginie, dont le bord de la mer est a 34 degrez qtie
nous avons passez sans neanmoins estre encor arrives
a la mer, non pas aussi du cost6 de 1 oiiest a la Cali-
fornie, parceque nous devions pour cela avoir nostre
route a L ouest, ou a 1 ouest soroiiest et nous L avons
tousjour en au sud. Nous consideram.es de plus que
nous nous exposions a perdre la fruict de ce voyage
duquel nous ne pourrions pas donner aucune connois-
sance, si nous allions nous jetter entre les mains des
Espagnols qui sans double nous auroient du moins
retenus captifs. En oultre, nous voyons bien que
nous n estions pas en estat de resister a des Sauvages
allies Les Europeans, nombreux, et experts a tirer
du fusil qui infestoient continuellement le bas de
cette riviere. Enfin, nous avions pris toutes les con-
noissances qu on peut souhaiter dans cette decouverte
toutes ces raisons firent conclure pour Le Retour,
que vous declarames aux sauvages et pour lequel
nous nous preparames apres un jour de repos.

SECTION DIXIEME. RETOUR DU PERE ET DES FRAN
COIS. BAPTEME D UN ENFANT MORIBOND.

APRES un mois du Navigation en descendant sur
Missisipi depuis le 42 d degre jusqu au 34 e et
plus, et apres avoir publi6 1 Evangile, autant que j ay
pu, aux Nations que j ay rencontrees, nous partons
le i7 e Juillet du village des akensea pour retourner
sur nos pas. Nous remontons done a Missisipi qui
nous donne bien de la peine a refouler ses Courans,
il est vray que nous le quittons vers les 38* degrSs
pour entrer dans une aultre riviere qui nous abbrege
de beaucoup Le chemin et nous conduit avec peu de
peine dans le lac des Ilinois

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 161

The Europeans, who were numerous, and expert in
firing guns, and who continually infested the lower
part of the river. Finally, we had obtained all the
information that could be desired in regard to this
discovery. All these reasons induced us to decide
upon Returning ; this we announced to the savages,
and, after a day s rest, made our preparations for it.

SECTION TENTH. RETURN OF THE FATHER AND OF
THE FRENCH. BAPTISM OF A DYING CHILD.

AFTER a month s Navigation, while descending Mis-
sisipi from the 42nd to the 34th degree, and
beyond, and after preaching the Gospel as well as I
could to the Nations that I met, we start on the i/th
of July from the village of the akensea, to retrace our
steps. We therefore reascend the Missisipi which
gives us much trouble in breasting its Currents. It is
true that we leave it, at about the 38th degree, to
enter another river, which greatly shortens our road,
and takes us with but little effort to the lake of the
Ilinois.

We have seen nothing like this river that we enter,
as regards its fertility of soil, its prairies and woods ;
its cattle, elk, deer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks,
parroquets, and even beaver. There are many small
lakes and rivers. That on which we sailed is wide,
deep, and still, for 65 leagues. In the spring and
during part of The summer there is only one portage
of half a league. 41 We found on it a village of Ilinois
called Kaskasia, consisting of 74 Cabins. They
received us very well, and obliged me to promise
that I would return to instruct them. One of the
chiefs of this nation, with his young men, escorted
us to the Lake of the Ilinois, whence, at last, at The

162 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

Nous n avons rien vue de semblable a cette riviere
ou nous entrons pour la bonte de terres, des prairies,
des bois, des bceufs, des cerfs, des chevreux, des
chatz sauvages, des outardes, des cygnes, des canards,
des perroquetz, et mesmes des castors, il y a quan-
tite" de petitz lacs, et de petites rivieres. Celle sur
laquelle nous navigeons est large, profonde, paisible,
pendant 65 lieues, le printemps et une partie de
L este on ne fait de transport que pendant une demi
lieue. Nous y trouvames une bourgade d llinois
nomine" Kaskasia compose e de 74 Cabanes, ils nous
y ont tres bien receus, et ils m ont oblige" de leur
promettre que je retournerois pour les instruire. Un
des chefs de cette nation, avec sa jeunesse, nous est
venu conduire jusqu au Lac des Ilinois d ou enfin
nous nous sommes rendus dans la baye des puantz
sur La fin de Septembre, d ou nous estions partis
vers le commencement de Juin.

Quand tout ce voyage n auroit cause" que le salut
d une ame, j estimerois toutes mes peines bien
recompense s, et c est ce que jay sujet de presumer,
car lorsque ie retournois nous passames par les Ilinois
de Pefclarea je fus trois jours a leur publier la foy dans
toutes leurs cabanes, apres quoy comme nous nous
embarquions, on m apporta au bord de L eau un
enfant moribond que je baptisay un peu avant qu il
mourut par une providence admirable pour le salut
de cette ame Innocente.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S FIRST VOYAGE 163

end of September, we reached the bay des puantz,
from which we had started at the beginning of June.
Had this voyage resulted in the salvation of even
one soul, I would consider all my troubles well re
warded, and I have reason to presume that such is
the case. For, when I was returning, we passed
through the Ilinois of Peouarea, 43 and during three
days I preached the faith in all their Cabins ; after
which, while we were embarking, a dying child was
brought to me at The water s edge, and I baptized
it shortly before it died, through an admirable act of
providence for the salvation of that Innocent soul.

164 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Journal incomplet du P. Jacques Marquette,

adresse au R. P. Claude Dablon,

superieur des Missions.

M

ON REUEREND PERE.

Pax X 1 .

Ayant este contraint de demeurer a f 1 . Fran
cois tout 1 este, acaufe de quelque incommodite, en
ayant este guery dez le mois de feptembre, I y atten-
dois 1 arriuee de nos gens au retour de la bas pour
f9auoir ceque ie ferois pour mon hyuernement; lef-
quels m en apporterent les ordres pour mon uoyage a
la miffion de la Conception des Ilinois, ayant fatiffait
aux fentiments de V R pour les coppies de mon iour-
nal touchant la Riuiere de mimfipi, Ie partis auec
Pierre Porteret et lacque [blank space in MS.~\ le 25
oct 1674 fur les midy le uent nous contraignit de
coucher a la fortie de la Riuiere ou les Pteatamis
f ailembloient, les anciens n ayant pas uoulu qu on
allaft du coftez des Ilinois, de peur que la ieuneffe
amaffant des robbes auec les marchandifes qu ils ont
apportez de la bas, et chaffant au Caftor ne uoulut
defcendre le printemps qu ils croient auoir fuiet de
craindre les nadtfeffi

26 oct. paflant au uillage nous ny trouuafmes plus que

deux cabannes qui partoient pour aller hyuerner a
la gafparde, nous apprifmes que 5 canots de PtfteHa-
tamis et 4 d Ilinois estoient partis pour aller aux
KafKafKia.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 165-

Unfinished Journal of Father Jacques Marquette,

addressed to the Reverend Father Claude

Dablon, superior of the Missions.

MY REVEREND FATHER,
Pax Christ! .

Having been compelled to remain at st.
Francois throughout the summer on account of an
ailment, of which I was cured in the month of Sep
tember, I awaited there the return of our people from
down below, in order to learn what I was to do with
regard to my wintering. They brought me orders
to proceed to the mission of la Conception among the
Ilinois. After complying with Your Reverence s
request for copies of my journal concerning the
missisipi River, I departed with Pierre Porteret and
Jacque \blank space in MS. ], on the 25th of October,
1674, about noon. The wind compelled us to pass
the night at the outlet of the River, where the Poute-
watamis were assembling ; for the elders would not
allow them to go in the direction of the Ilinois, lest
the young men, after collecting robes with the goods
that they brought from below, and after hunting
Beaver, might seek to go down in the spring ; because
they have reason to fear the nadouessi.

On passing the village, we found only two cabins 2 6th of
of savages, who were going to spend the winter at la October,
gasparde. We learned that 5 canoes of Poutewa-
tamis, and 4 of Ilinois, had started to go to the
Kaskaskia.

166 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

27 nous fufmes arrertez le matin par la pluye, nous
eufmes beau temps et calme 1 aprefdifnee que nous
rencontrafmes dans 1 ance a 1 efturgeon les fauuages
qui marchoient deuant nous

28 on arriue au portage, un canot qui auoit pris le
deuant eft caufe que qu on ne tue point de gibier;
nous commengons notre portage et allons coucher de
1 autre bord, ou le mauuais temps nous fift bien
de la peine Pierre n arriue qu a une heure de
nuit f efgarant par d un fentier ou il n auoit iamais
efte, apres la pluye et le tonnerre, il tombe de la
neige.

2 9 ayant efte contraint de changer de cabannage, on
continue de porter les paquets, le portage a pres
d une lieue , et affez incommode en plufieurs endroits,
les Ilinois feftant affemblez le foir dans notre
cabanne demandent, qu on ne les quitte pas, comme
nous pouuions auoir befoin d eux et qu ils connoiffent
mieux le lac que nous, on leur promet

3 les femmes Ilinoifes acheuent le matin notre
portage, on est arreste par le uent il n y a point
de befles

3 1 on parte par un aflez beau temps, et Ton uient
coucher a une petite riuiere. le chemin de 1 ance a
1 efturgeon par terre est tres difficile, nous n en
marchions pas loing 1 automne paffe, lorfque nous
entrafmes dans le bois

Ayant dit la f te . meffe on uient coucher dans une
* riuiere, d ou Ton ua aux Ptftetfatamis par un beau
chemin; chachagtfeffitf Ilinois fort confidere parmy
fa nation, a raifon en partie qu il fe mefle des
affaires de la traitte arriue la nuit auec un cheureux
fur fon dos, dont il nous fait part.

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 167

We were delayed in the morning by rain; in the 27.
afternoon, we had fine, calm weather, so that at stur
geon bay we joined the savages, who traveled ahead
of us.

We reached the portage. 43 A canoe that had gone 28.
ahead prevented us from killing any game. We
began our portage and slept on the other shore,
where the stormy weather gave us much trouble.
Pierre did not arrive until an hour after dark, hav
ing lost his way on a path where he had never been.
After the rain and thunder, snow fell.

Being compelled to change our camping-ground, 29 .
we continue to carry our packs. The portage covers
nearly a league, and is very difficult in many places.
The Ilinois assemble in the evening in our cabin,
and ask us not to leave them, as we may need them,
and they know the lake better than we do. We
promise them this.

The Ilinois women complete our portage in the 30.
morning. We are delayed by the wind. There are
no animals.

We start, with tolerably fair weather, and sleep at 3 -
a small river. The road by land from sturgeon bay
is very difficult. Last autumn, we were traveling
not far from it when we entered the forest.

After I said holy mass, we came for the night to November
a river, whence one goes to the Poutewatamis by a
good road. Chachagwessiou, an Ilinois greatly
esteemed among his nation, partly because he en
gages in the fur trade, arrived at night with a deer
on his back, of which he gave us a share.

After holy mass, we travel all day in very fine a.

weather. We kill two cats, which are almost noth
ing but fat.

168 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [\ T OL. 5^

2 La f te . meffe dit, nous marchons toute la iournee
par un fort beau temps, on tue deux chats qui n ont
quafi que de la graiffe

3 comme i estois par terre marchant fur le beau
fable tout le bord de 1 eau eftoit d herbes femblables
a celles qu on pefche aux retz a f l . Ignace, mais ne
pouuant paffer une riuiere, nos gens y entrent pour
m embarquer mais on n en put fortir acaufe de la
lame, tous les autres canots paffent a la referue d un
feul qui uient auec nous

4 on est arreste II y a apparence qu il y a quelque
Ifle au large le gibier y paffant le foir

5 nous eufmes affez de peine de fortir de la Riuiere
fur le midy, on trouua les fauuages dans une riuiere,
ou ie pris occaGon d inflruire les Ilinois, a raifon d un
feftin que na&afking&e uenoit de faire a une peau
de loup.

6 on fift une belle iournee, les fauuages eftant a la
chaffe defcouurirent quelques piftes dhommes cequi
oblige d arrefter le lendemain

9 on mit a terre fur les 2 heures acaufe d un beau

cabannage, ou Ton fuft arrefte 5 iours, acaufe de la
grande agitation du lac fans aucun uent enfuitte par
la neige, qui fufl le lendemain fondue par le foleil et
un uent du large.

75- apres auoir fait affez de chemin on cabanne dans

un bel endroit ou Ton eft arrefte 3 iours Pierre
raccommode le fuzil d un fauuage, neige tombe, la
nuit et fond le iour

20 on couche aux equors affez mal cabannez les fau

uages demeurent derriere durant qu on eft arrefte
du uent 2 iours et demy Pierre allant dans le bois
trouue la prairie a 20 lieues du portage, il paffe aufli

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 169

While I am ashore, walking on fine sand, the j.
whole water s edge being covered with grass similar
to that which is hauled up by the nets at st. Ignace,
I come to a river which I am unable to cross. Our
people enter it, in order to take me on board; but
we are unable to go out, on account of the waves.
All the other canoes go on, excepting one, which
came with us.

We are delayed. There seems to be an Island out *

in the lake, for the game go there at night.

We had considerable difficulty in getting out of the 5-
River at noon. We found the savages in a river, where
I seized the opportunity of instructing the Ilinois,
on account of a feast that nawaskingwe had just
given to a wolfskin.

We performed a good day s journey. While the 6.

savages were hunting, they discovered some tracks
of men, and this compelled us to stay over on the
following day.

We landed about 2 o clock, because there was a 9.

good camping-ground. We were detained there for
5 days, on account of the great agitation of the lake,
although without any wind; and afterward of the
snow, which was melted on the following day by the
sun, and a breeze from the lake.

After proceeding a sufficient distance, we camp at f j.
a favorable place, where we are detained 3 days.
Pierre mends a savage s gun. Snow falls at night,
and thaws during the day.

We sleep near the bluffs, and are very poorly 20.
sheltered. The savages remain behind while we
are delayed 2 days and a half by the wind. Pierre
goes into the woods, and finds the prairie 20 leagues
from the portage. He also goes through a fine canal

170 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

fur tm beau canal comme en v.oute haul de la hau
teur d un homme, ou il y auoit un pied d eau

33 eftant embarque fur le midy nous eufmes affez de

peine de gagner une riuiere, le froid commenca pour
lors, et plus d un pied de neige couurit la terre qui eft
toufiours depuis demeure, on fust arreste la 3 iours
durant lefquels Pierre tua un cheureux 3 outardes
et 3 cocqs d Inde qui estoient fort bons, les autres
pafferent iufques aux prairies, un fauuage ayant
defcouuert quelques cabannes nous uint trouuer,
Jacques y alia le lendemain auec luy 2 chaffeurs me
uinrent auffi uoir, c efloient des mafKtftens au nom-
bre de 8 ou 9 cabannes, lefquelles f eftoient feparez
les uns des autres pour pouuoir uiure, auec des
fatigues prefque impoffibles a des frangois ils
marchent tout Ihyuer, dans des chemins tres diffi-
ciles, les terres eftant plaines de ruiffeaux de petits
lacs et de marefts, ils font tres mal cabannez, et
mangent ou ieufnent felon les lieux ou ils se rencon-
trent ; eftant arrefte par le uent nous remarquafmes
qu il y auoit de grandes battures au large ou la lame
brifoient continuellement : ce fuft la que ie fentis
quelque atteinte d un flux de uentre.

27 nous eusmes affez de peine de fortir de la riuiere,

et ayant fait enuiron 3 lieues nous trouuafmes les
fauuages qui auoient tuez des boeufs, et 3 ilinois qui
eftoient uenu du uillage, nous fufmes arreftez la
d un uent de terre des lames prodigieufes qui uenoient
du large, et du froid,

Decembre on deuance les fauuages pour pouuoir dire la
f te . meffe,

3 ayant dit la f te . meffe eftant embarque nous

fufmes contrains de gagner une pointe pour pouuoir
mettre a terre acaufe des bourguignons

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 171

which is vaulted, as it were, to the height of a man, in
which there is water a foot deep.

After embarking at noon, we experienced some 23.
difficulty in reaching a river. Then the cold began,
and more than a foot of snow covered the ground;
it has remained ever since. We were delayed for 3
days, during which Pierre killed a deer, 3 bustards,
and 3 Turkeys, which were very good. The others
proceeded to the prairies. A savage discovered
some cabins, and came to get us. Jacques went
there on the following day, with him; 2 hunters
also came to see me. They were maskoutens, to
the number of 8 or 9 cabins, who had separated from
the others in order to obtain subsistence. With
fatigues almost impossible to frenchmen, they travel
throughout the winter over very bad roads, the
land abounding in streams, small lakes, and swamps.
Their cabins are wretched ; and they eat or starve,
according to the places where they happen to be.
Being detained by the wind, we noticed that there
were great shoals out in the lake, over which the
waves broke continually. Here I had an attack of
diarrhoea.

We had some trouble in getting out of the river; ^7.
then, after proceeding about 3 leagues, we found the
savages, who had killed some cattle, and 3 ilinois
who had come from the village. We were delayed
there by a wind from the land, by heavy waves from
the lake, and by cold.

We went ahead of the savages, so that I might December
celebrate holy mass.

After saying holy mass, we embarked, and were 3.

compelled to make for a point, so that we could land,
on account of floating masses of ice.

172 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

4 nous partifmes heureufement pour uenir a la

riuiere du portage qui eftoit gelee d un demy pied,
ou il y auoit plus de neige que par tout ailleurs,
comme auffi plus de pifte de beftes et de cocqs
dlnde.

La nauigation du lac eft affez belle d un portage a
1 autre, n y ayant aucune trauerfe a faire, et pouuant
mettre a terre par tout, moyennant qu on ne foit point
opiniaftre a uouloir marcher dans les lames et de
grand uent, les terres qui le bordent ne ualent
rien, excepte quand on eft aux prairies, on trouue 8
ou 10 riuieres affez belles, la chaffe du cheureux eft
tres belle a mefure qu on f efloigne des Ptftetfatamis,
/*, comme on commen9oit hier a traifner pour appro-

cher du portage les Ilinois ayant quittez les Ptftetfa-
tamis arriuerent auec bien de la peine nous ne
pufmes dire la f te . meffe le iour de la Conception
acaufe du mauuais temps et du froid, durant notre
feiour a 1 entree de la riuiere Pierre et lacques
tuerent 3 boeufs et 4 cheureux dont 1 un courut affez
loing ayant le cceur couppe en 2. on fe contenta de
tuer 3 ou 4 cocqs d inde de plufieurs qui uenoient
autour de notre cabanne, parcequ ils mouroient quafi.
perdrix. de faim ; lacques apporta une perdrix qu il auoit
tuez, femblable en tout a celles de France, excepte
qu elle auoit comme deux aiflerons de 3 ou 4 aifles
longues d un doigt proche la tefte, dont elles cou-
urent les 2 coftez du col ou il n y a point de plume
14- estant cabannez proche le portage a 2 lieues dans

la riuiere nous refolufmes d hyuerner la estant dans
rimpoffibilite de paffer outre estant trop embar-
raffe, et mon incommodite ne me permettant pas de
beaucoup fatiguer. plufieurs Ilinois pafferent hier

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 173

We started with a favoring wind, and reached the 4.

river of the portage, which was frozen to the depth
of half a foot ; there was more snow there than else
where, as well as more tracks of animals and Turkeys.

Navigation on the lake is fairly good from one
portage to the other, for there is no crossing to be
made, and one can land anywhere, unless one persist
in going on when the waves are high and the wind is
strong. The land bordering it is of no value, except
on the prairies. There are 8 or 10 quite fine rivers.
Deer-hunting is very good, as one goes away from
the Poutewatamis.

As we began yesterday to haul our baggage in 12.
order to approach the portage, the Ilinois who had
left the Poutewatamis arrived, with great difficulty.
We were unable to celebrate holy mass on the day
of the Conception, owing to the bad weather and
cold. During our stay at the entrance of the river,
Pierre and Jacques killed 3 cattle and 4 deer, one of
which ran some distance with its heart split in 2.
We contented ourselves with killing 3 or 4 turkeys,
out of many that came around our cabin because they
were almost dying of hunger. Jacques brought in
a partridge that he had killed, exactly like those of Partridge.
France except that it had two ruffs, as it were, of
3 or 4 feathers as long as a finger, near the head,
covering the 2 sides of the neck where there are
no feathers.

Having encamped near the portage, 2 leagues up i 4 .
the river, we resolved to winter there, as it was im
possible to go farther, since we were too much hin
dered and my ailment did not permit me to give my
self much fatigue. Several Ilinois passed yesterday,
on their way to carry their furs to nawaskingwe;

174 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

pour aller porter leur pelleterie a natfafKingtfe, auf-
quels on donne un boeufs et un cheureux que lacque
auoit tue le iour d auparauant, ie ne penfe pas auoir
ueu de fauuage plus affame de petun Frangois qu eux,
ils uinrent letter a nos pieds des caftors pour en
auoir quelque bout, mais nous leur rendifmes en leur
en donnant quelque pipe parceque nous n auions pas
encore conclu ft nous paflerions outre,

is Chachagtfeffitf et les autres Ilinois nous quitterent

pour aller trouuer leur gens, et leur donner les
marchandifes qu ils auoient apportez pour auoir leur
robbes en quoy ils fe gouuernent comme les trait-
teurs, et ne donnent guere plus que les Frangois ; ie
les inftruifis auant leur depart, remettant au prin-
temps de tenir confeil quand ie ferois au uillage ; ils
nous traitterent 3 belles robbes de boeuf pour une
coudee de petun, lefquelles nous ont beaucoup ferui
cet hyuer, eftant ainft defbarailez, nous difmes La
meffe de la Conception: depuis le 14 mon incom-
modite fe tourna en flux de fang.

jo lacque arriua du uillage des Ilinois qui n eftoit

qu a fix lieues d icy ou ils auoient faim le froid et la
neige les empefchant de chaffer, quelques uns ayant
aduerti la Toupine et le chirurgien que nous eftions
icy, et ne pouuant quitter leur cabanne auoient telle-
ment donnez la peur aux fauuages croyant que nous
aurions faim demeurant icy que lacque euft bien de
la peine d empef cher 1 5 ieunes gens de uenir pour
emporter toute notre affaire.

Januter Auffitoft que les 2 frangois fceurent que mon mal

1675 m empefchoit d aller chez eux le chirurgien uint icy

auec un fauuage pour nous apporter des bluets et du

bled; ils ne font qu a 18 lieues d icy dans un beau

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 175

we gave them one of the cattle and one of the deer
that Jacque had killed on the previous day. I do
not think that I have ever seen any savages more
eager for French tobacco than they. They came and
threw beaver-skins at our feet, to get some pieces of
it ; but we returned these, giving them some pipefuls
of the tobacco because we had not yet decided
whether we would go farther.

Chachagwessiou and the other Ilinois left us, to //.
go and join their people and give them the goods
that they had brought, in order to obtain their robes.
In this they act like the traders, and give hardly any
more than do the French. I instructed them before
their departure, deferring the holding of a council
until the spring, when I should be in their village.
They traded us 3 fine robes of ox-skins for a cubit
of tobacco ; these were very useful to us during the
winter. Being thus rid of them, we said The mass
of the Conception. After the Hth, my disease turned
into a bloody flux.

Jacque arrived from the Ilinois village, which is 30.
only six leagues from here ; there they were suffering
from hunger, because the cold and snow prevented
them from hunting. Some of them notified la Tou-
pine 44 and the surgeon that we were here; and, as
they could not leave their cabin, they had so fright
ened the savages, believing that we would suffer from
hunger if we remained here, that Jacque had much
difficulty in preventing 15 young men from coming
to carry away all our belongings.

As soon as the 2 frenchmen learned that my ill- January,
ness prevented me from going to them, the surgeon /6 75*
came here with a savage, to bring us some blueber
ries and corn. They are only 18 leagues from here,

176 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

lieu de chaffe pour les boeufs et les cheureux et les
cocqs d inde qui y font excellents, ils auoient auffi
amaffez des uiures en nous attendant; et auoient
fait entendre aux fauuages que leur cabanne eftoit a
la robbe noire, et on peut dire qu ils ont fait et dit
tout ce qu on pouuoit attendre d eux; le chirurgien
ayant icy feiourne pour faire fes deuotions; I en-
uoyay lacque auec luy pour dire aux Ilinois qui
efloient proche de la, que mon incommodite m em-
pefchoit de les aller uoir, et que i aurois mefme de la
peine d y aller le printemps li elle continuoit

24 lacque retourna, auec un fac de bled et d autres

rafraifchiffement que les Fran9ois luy auoient donnez
pour moy: il apporta auffi les langues et de la
uiande de deux boeufs qu un fauuage et luy auoient
tuez proches d icy ; mais toutes les belles f e fentent
du mauuais temps

a6 3 Ilinois nous apporterent de la part des anciens 2

facs de bled de la uiande feche, des citroui lles et 12
caftors, i. pour me faire une natte, 2. pour me
demander de la poudre, 3 pour que nous n euffions
pas faim, 4 pour auoir quelque peu de marchan-
difes; ieleur refpondis, i nt . que i eftois uenu pour les
inftruire, en leur parlantde la priere, &c. 2 nt . que ie
ne leur donnerois point de poudre, puifque nous taf-
chions de mettre par tout la paix, et que ie ne uoulois
qu ils commen9affent la guerre avec les muiamis.
3 nt . que nous n apprehendions point la faim, 4 nt .
que i encouragerois les fran9ois a leur apporter des
marchandifes, et qu il falloit qu ils satiffiffent ceux
qui eitoient chez eux pour la raffade qu on leur auoit
pris, dez que le chirurgien full part) T pour uenir icy.
comme ils eftoient uenus de 20 lieues, pour les payer

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 177

in a fine place for hunting cattle, deer, and turkeys,
which are excellent there. They had also collected
provisions while waiting for us ; and had given the
savages to understand that their cabin belonged to
the black gown ; and it may be said that they have
done and said all that could be expected from them.
After the surgeon had spent some time here, in order
to perform his devotions, I sent Jacque with him to
tell the Ilinois near that place that my illness
prevented me from going to see them ; and that I
would even have some difficulty in going there
in the spring, if it continued.

Jacque returned with a sack of corn and other deli- +
cacies, which the French had given him for me. He
also brought the tongues and flesh of two cattle,
which a savage and he had killed near here. But
all the animals feel the bad weather.

3 Ilinois brought us, on behalf of the elders, 2 26.
sacks of corn, some dried meat, pumpkins, and 12
beaver- skins: ist, to make me a mat; 2nd, to ask me
for powder; 3rd, that we might not be hungry; 4th,
to obtain a few goods. I replied: ist, that I had
come to instruct them, by speaking to them of
prayer, etc. ; 2nd, that I would give them no powder,
because we sought to restore peace everywhere, and
I did not wish them to begin war with the muiamis;
3rd, that we feared not hunger; 4th, that I would
encourage the french to bring them goods, and that
they must give satisfaction to those who were among
them for the beads which they had taken as soon as
the surgeon started to come here. As they had come
a distance of 20 leagues, I gave them, in order to
reward them for their trouble and for what they had
brought me, a hatchet, 2 knives, 3 clasp-knives,

178

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Feurier
9-

Maries

Mars

*3>
perdrix

de leur peine et de ce qu ils m auoient apportez ie
leur donnay tine hache, 2 couteaux, 3 iambettes, 10
braffes de raffade, et 2 mirouirs doubles, et leur
difant que ie tafcherois d aller au uillage feulement
pour quelques iours fi mon incommodite continuoit,
ils me dirent de prendre courage de demeurer et de
mourir dans leur pays et qu on leur auoit dit que
i y refterois pour longtemps

Depuis que nous nous fommes addreffez a la f te .
Vierge Immacule e que nous auons commencez une
neufuaine par une meffe a laquelle Pierre et lacque
qui font tout ce qu ils peuuent pour me foulager
ont communiez pour demander a Dieu la fante, mon
flux de fang m a quitte, il ne me refte qu une foi-
bleffe d eftomac, ie commence a me porter beaucoup
mieux et a reprendre mes forces; il ne cabanne d Ili-
nois qui f eftoit rangee proche de nous depuis un
mois une partie ont repris Ie chemin des Ptft. et
quelques uns font encore au bord du lac ou ils
attendent que la nauigation foit libre ils emportent
des lettres pour nos P de f l . Francois

nous auons eu Ie temps de remarquer les mareez
qui uiennent du lac lefquels hauffent et baiifent
plufieurs fois par iour et quoy qu il n y paroiffe
aucune abry dans Ie lac, on a ueu les glaces aller
contre Ie uent, ces mareez nous rendoient 1 eau bonne
ou mauuaife parceque celle qui uient d en hault coule
des prairies et de petits ruiffeaux, les cheureux qui
font en quantite uers Ie bord du lac font fi maigres
qu on a este contraint d en laiffer quelques uns de
ceux qu on auoit tuez

on tue plufieurs perdrix dont il n y a que les mals
qui ayent des aiflerons au col les femelles n en

1673-77]

MARQ UETTE S JO URNAL

179

10 brasses of glass beads, and 2 double mirrors,
telling them that I would endeavor to go to the
village, for a few days only, if my illness con
tinued. They told me to take courage, and to
remain and die in their country ; and that they had
been informed that I would remain there for a long
time.

Since we addressed ourselves to the blessed Virgin
Immaculate, and commenced a novena with a mass,
at which Pierre and Jacque, who do everything they
can to relieve me, received communion, to ask
God to restore my health, my bloody flux has left
me, and all that remains is a weakness of the stom
ach. I am beginning to feel much better, and to
regain my strength. Out of a cabin of Ilinois, who
encamped near us for a month, a portion have again
taken the road to the Poutewatamis, and some are
still on the lake-shore, where they wait until naviga
tion is open. They bear letters for our Fathers of
st. Francois.

We have had opportunity to observe the tides
coming in from the lake, which rise and fall several
times a day; and, although there seems to be no
shelter in the lake, we have seen the ice going
against the wind. These tides made the water good
or bad, because that which flows from above comes
from prairies and small streams. The deer, which
are plentiful near the lake-shore, are so lean that we
had to abandon some of those which we had killed.

We killed several partridges, only the males of
which had ruffs on the neck, the females not having
any. These partridges are very good, but not like
those of f ranee.

February
9-

20.

Tides,

March

Partridges.

180 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 69

ayant point ces perdrix font ailez bonnes mais non
pas comme celles de france.

30. le uent de nord ayant empefche le degel iufques

au 25 de Mars il commenja par un uent de fud, dez
le lendemain le gibier commen5a de paroiftre on
tua 30 tourtres que ie troimay meilleures que celles
de la bas mais plus petites, tant les uieilles que les
ieunes; le 28 les glaces fe rompirent et f arreflerent
au defTus de nous, le 29 les eaux courent si fort
que nous n eufmes que le temps de defcabanner au
pluftot, mettre nos affaires fur des arbres, et tafcher
de chercher a coucher fur quelque but 1 eau nous
gagnant prefque toute la nuit, mais ayant un peu gele,
et estant diminue comme nous estions aupres de nos
paquets, la digue uient de fe rompre, et les glaces a
f efcouler et parceque les eaux remontent defia nous
allons nous embarquer pour continuer notre route

La f te . Vierge Immaculee a pris un tel foin de nous
durant notre hyuernement que rien ne nous a manque"
pour les uiures, ayant encore un grand fac de bled de
refte de la uiande et de la graiffe; nous auons auffi
uefcu fort doucement, mon mal ne m ayant point
empefche de dire la f te . meffe tous les iours; nous
n auons point pu garder du Carefme que les
Vendredys et famedys;

3 i eftant hier party nous fifmes 3 lieues dans la

riuiere en remontant fans trouuer aucun portage, on
traifna peuteftre enuiron un demy arpant, outre cette
defcharge la riuiere en a une autre par ou nous
debuons defcendre, il n y a que les terres bien hautes
qui ne foient point inondeez, celle ou nous fommes
a cru plus de 12 pieds ce fut d icy que nous com-
mengafmes notre portage II y a 18 mois; les outardes

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S JO URN A L 181

The north wind delayed the thaw until the 30
2 5th of March, when it set in with a south wind.
On the very next day, game began to make its
appearance. We killed 30 pigeons, which I found
better than those down the great river ; but they are
smaller, both old and young. On the 28th, the ice
broke up, and stopped above us. On the 29th, the
waters rose so high that we had barely time to
decamp as fast as possible, putting our goods in the
trees, and trying to sleep on a hillock. The water
gained on us nearly all night, but there was a slight
freeze, and the water fell a little, while we were near
our packages. The barrier has just broken, the ice
has drifted away ; and, because the water is already
rising, we are about to embark to continue our
journey.

The blessed Virgin Immaculate has taken such
care of us during our wintering that we have not
lacked provisions, and have still remaining a large
sack of corn, with some meat and fat. We also
lived very pleasantly for my illness did not prevent
me from saying holy mass every day. We were
unable to keep Lent, except on Fridays and Satur
days.

We started yesterday and traveled 3 leagues up j/
the river without finding any portage. We hauled
our goods probably about half an arpent. Besides
this discharge, the river has another one by which
we are to go down. The very high lands alone are
not flooded. At the place where we are, the water
has risen more than 12 feet. This is where we
began our portage 18 months Ago. Bustards and
ducks pass continually ; we contented ourselves with
7. The ice, which is still drifting down, keeps us

182 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

et les canards paffent contirmellement on f eft
contente de 7, les glaces qui deriuent encore nous font
icy demeurer ne fcachant pas en quel eftat eft le bas
de la riuiere
Auril comme ie ne f9ay point encore fi ie demeureray

1 cet efte au uillage ou non acaufe de mon flux de

uentre, nous laiffons icy une partie de ce dont nous
pouuons nous pafler et fur tout un fac de bled tandis
qu un grand uent de fud nous arrefte, nous efperons
aller demain ou font les Frangois, diftant de 15
lieues d icy

A les grands uents et le froid nous empefchent de

marcher, les deux lacs par ou nous auons paffez
font plains d outardes d oyes de canards de grues
et d autres gibiers que nous ne connoiffons point,
les rapides font affez dangereux en quelques
endroits, nous uenons de rencontrer le chirurgien
auec un fauuage qui montoit auec une canottee de
pelleterie, mais le froid eftant trop grand pour des
perfonnes qui font obligez de traifner les canots dans
1 eau, il uient de faire cache de fon caftor et retourne
demain au uillage auec nous, fi les Francois ont
des robbes de ce pays icy ils ne les defrobbent pas,
tant les fatigues font grandes pour les en tirer.

[Addressed : -}-

" A Mon Reuerend Pere Le P. Claude Dablon
Superieur des Millions dela Compagnie de Jesvs en
la nouuelle f ranee a quebec"]

[Endorsed: " Lettre et Journal du feu P. Mar-
quette."]

[Endorsed: "Tout ce qui regarde le voyage du
P Marquette "]

1673-77] MARQUETTE S JOURNAL 183

here, as we do not know in what condition the lower
part of the river is.

As I do not yet know whether I shall remain next April
summer in the village, on account of my diarrhoea,
we leave here part of our goods, those with which
we can dispense, and especially a sack of corn.
While a strong south wind delays us, we hope to go
to-morrow to the place where the French are, at a
distance of 1 5 leagues from here.

Strong winds and the cold prevent us from pro- 6.

ceeding. The two lakes over which we passed are
full of bustards, geese, ducks, cranes, and other game
unknown to us. The rapids are quite dangerous in
some places. We have just met the surgeon, with a
savage who was going up with a canoe-load of furs;
but, as the cold is too great for persons who are
obliged to drag their canoes in the water, he has
made a cache of his beaver-skins, and returns to the
village to-morrow with us. If the French procure
robes in this country, they do not disrobe the
savages, so great are the hardships that must be
endured to obtain them.

[Addressed : -f-

" To My Reverend Father, Father Claude Dablon,
Superior of the Missions of the Society of Jesus
in new france. Quebec."]

[Endorsed: " Letter and Journal of the late Father
Marquette."]

[Endorsed: " Everything concerning Father Mar-
quette s voyage."]

184 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Recit du second voyage et de la mort du P.
Jacques Marquette.

LA mission des Ilinois fut establie en 1 an 1674
apres le premier voyage que le pere jaques
marquet fit pour descouurir de nouuelles terres
et de nouueaux peuples qui sont sur la grande et
fameuse riuiere apellee missisipi

II fit 1 annee d apres vn second voyage pour y
establir la mission, c est ce qu on va raconter.

SECTION I RB . RECIT DU 2 D VOYAGE QUE LE P MAR
QUET A FAICT AUX ILINOIS. IL Y ARRIUE
NONOBSTANT SA MALADIE ET Y COMMENCE
LA MISSION DE LA CONCEPTION.

LE P. Jaques marquette ayant promis aux Ilinois
au premier voyage qu il fit ches eux en 1673
qu il y retourneroit 1 annee suiuante po 9 leur ensei-
gner nos misteres, eut bien de la peine a tenir sa
parolle. Les grandes fatigues de son premier voy
age luy auoient Cause vn flux de sang, et 1 auoient
tellement abattu qu il estoit hors d esperance d entre-
prendre vn second voyage. Cependant son mal
ayant diminue et presque entierement Cesse" sur la
fin de I est6 de 1 annee suiuante, II obtint permission
de ses superieurs de retourner aux Ilinois po 9 y
donner commencement a cette belle mission.

II partit pour cela dans le mois de nouembre de
Vanned 1674 de la baye des puants auec deux ho es dont
vn auoit desja faict le voyage auec luy; pendant vn

1673 - 77] MARQ UETTE S SECOND VO YA GE \ 85

Account of the second voyage and the death
of Father Jacques Marquette.

THE mission of the Ilinois was founded in the
year 1674, after the first voyage which father
jaques marquet made to discover new terri
tories and new peoples who are on the great and
famous river missisipi.

The year following, he made a second voyage in
order to establish there the mission ; it is that one
which we are about to relate.

SECTION 1ST. NARRATIVE OF THE 2ND VOYAGE THAT

FATHER MARQUET MADE TO THE ILINOIS. HE

REACHES THEM, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS ILLNESS,

AND BEGINS THE MISSION OF LA CONCEPTION.

FATHER Jaques marquette, having promised the
Ilinois on his first voyage to them, in 1673,
that he would return to them the following year, to
teach them the mysteries of our religion, had much
difficulty in keeping his word. The great hardships
of his first voyage had Brought upon him a bloody
flux, and had so weakened him that he was giving up
the hope of undertaking a second. However, his sick
ness decreased ; and, as it had almost entirely Abated
by the close of the summer in the following year
He obtained the permission of his superiors to return
to the Ilinois and there begin that fair mission.

He set out for that purpose, in the month of
november of the year 1674, from the bay des puants,

186 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

mois de nauigation sur le lac des Ilinois il se porta
asses bien mais si tost que la neige Commenca a
tomber il fut repris de son flux de sang qui 1 obligea
de s arrester dans la riuiere qui Conduit aux Ilinois;
C est la qu ils firent vne Cabane po 9 passer 1 hyuer
auec de telles incomodite s que son mal s augmentant
de plus en plus, il vit bien que Dieu luy acordoit la
grace qu il luy auoit tant de fois demandee, et mesme
il le dit tout simplement a ses deux Compagnons,
qu asseurement il mourroit de cette maladie et dans
ce voyage. Pour y bien disposer son ame malgre la
grande jndisposition de son Corps, il commenca vn
hyuernement si rude par les exercices de s 4 . ignace
qu il fit auec de grands sentiments de deuotion, et
beaucoup de Consolations Celestes, et puis il passa
tout le reste du temps a s entretenir auec tout le
Ciel, n ayant autre comerce auec la terre dans ces
deserts qu auec ses deux Compagnons qu il Confes-
soit et Communioit deux fois la sepmaine, et exhor-
toit autant que ses forces le pouuoient permettre
quelque temps apres noel po 9 obtenir la grace de ne
pas mourir sans auoir pris possession de sa Chere
mission, il inuita ses Compagnons a faire vne neuf-
uaine a 1 honneur de l imacule"e conception de la s te .
vierge ; II fut exauce" centre toutes les aparences
humaines, et se portant mieux il se mit en estat
d aller au bourg des Ilinois si tost que la nauigation
seroit libre, ce qu il fit auec bien de la Joye partant
po 9 cela le 29 mars; il fut onze Jours en Chemin 011
il eut occasion de beaucoup souffrir, et pour sa propre
Indisposition n estant pas entierement retabli, et par
vn temps tres rude et tres facheux.

Estant enfin arriue e dans le bourg, il y fut receu

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 187

with two men, one of whom had made the former
voyage with him. During a month of navigation on
the lake of the Ilinois, he was tolerably well ; but,
as soon as the snow Began to fall, he was again
seized with his bloody flux, which compelled him to
halt in the river which Leads to the Ilinois. It was
there that they constructed a Cabin in which to pass
the winter, amid such inconveniences that, his mala
dy increasing more and more, he saw clearly that
God was granting to him the favor which he had
so many times besought from him ; and he even told
his two Companions very plainly that he would
certainly die of that malady, and during that voyage.
Duly to prepare his soul, despite the severe indispo
sition of his Body, he began this so severe winter
sojourn by the retreat of st. ignatius, which he per
formed with every feeling of devotion, and many
Celestial Consolations ; and then he passed the whole
of the remaining time in holding communion with
all Heaven, having, in these deserts, no intercourse
with the earth except with his two Companions. He
Confessed them and administered Communion to
them twice in the week, and exhorted them as much
as his strength permitted him. A short time after
Christmas, that he might obtain the favor of not
dying without having taken possession of his Dear
mission, he invited his Companions to make a novena
in honor of the immaculate conception of the blessed
virgin. His prayer was answered, against all human
probability ; and, his health improving, he prepared
himself to go to the village of the Ilinois as soon as
navigation should open, which he did with much
Joy, setting out for that place on the 2Qth of march.
He spent eleven Days on the Way, during which time

188 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

comme vn ange du Ciel, et apres auoir assemble par
diuerses fois les Chef de la nation auec tous les
anciens po 9 letter dans leurs esprits les premieres
semences de 1 euangile ; apres auoir porte" les Instruc
tions dans les Cabanes qui se trouuoient tousjours
plaines d une grande foule de peuples, il prit resolu
tion de parler a tous publiquement dans vne assem
ble g nale qu il conuoqua en plaine Campagne, les
Cabanes estant trop estroites po 9 tout le monde. ce
fut vne belle prairie proche du bourg qu on Choisit
pour ce grand Conseil, et qu on orna a la facon du
pai s la Couurant de nattes et de peaux d ours, et le
p. ayant faict estendre sur des Cordes diuerses pieces
de taftas de la chine, il y atacha quatre grandes
Images de la s te . Vierge qui estoient veiies de tous
Coste"s. L auditoire estoit Compose" de 500 tant de
chefs que de vieillards assis en rond a 1 entour du
pere et de toute la Jeunesse qui se tenoit debout au
nombre de plus de 1500 ho es . sans compter les femmes
et les enfans qui sont en grand nombre, le bourg
estant Compose de 5 a 600 feux. Le pere parla a
tout le peuple, et leur porta 10 paroles par dix
presents qu il leur fit, leur expliqua les principaux
mysteres de nostre Religion, et la fin po 9 laquelle il
estoit veneu en leur pai s; sur tout il leur precha J.
C. la veille mesme (de ce grand iour) qu il estoit
mort en Croix, po 9 eux aussi bien que po 9 tout le
reste des ho es . et dit ensuite la s te . messe. trois Jours
apres qui estoit le dimanche de pasques les choses
estant disposees de la mesme maniere que le Jeudy,
il celebra les s ts . misteres po 9 la 2 de . fois Et par ces
deux sacrifices qu on y eut iamais offerts a dieu, il
prit possession de cette terre au nom de J. C. et donna

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 189

lie had occasion to suffer much, both from his own
Illness, from which he had not entirely recovered,
and from the very severe and unfavorable weather.
On at last arriving at the village, he was received
as an angel from Heaven. After he had assembled
at various times the Chiefs of the nation, with all the
old men, that he might sow in their minds the first
seeds of the gospel, and after having given Instruc
tion in the Cabins, which were always filled with a
groat crowd of people, he resolved to address all in
public, in a general assembly which he called
together in the open Air, the Cabins being too small
to contain all the people. It was a beautiful prairie,
close to a village, which was Selected for the great
Council ; this was adorned, after the fashion of the
country, by Covering it with mats and bearskins.
Then the father, having directed them to stretch out
upon Lines several pieces of Chinese taffeta, attached
to these four large Pictures of the blessed Virgin,
which were visible on all Sides. The audience was
Composed of 500 chiefs and elders, seated in a circle
around the father, and of all the Young men, who
remained standing. They numbered more than i , 500
men, without counting the women and children, who
are always numerous, the village being Composed
of 5 or 600 fires. The father addressed the whole
body of people, and conveyed to them 10 messages,
by means of ten presents which he gave them. He
explained to them the principal mysteries of our
Religion, and the purpose that had brought him to
their country. Above all, he preached to them Jesus
Christ, on the very eve (of that great day) on which
he had died upon the Cross for them, as well as for
all the rest of mankind ; then he said holy mass. On

190 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59>

a cette mission le nom de la Conception Immacul6e
de la s te . vierge.

II fut escoute auec vne Joye vniuersselle de tons
ces peuples qui le prierent auec de Ires grandes
Instances qu il eust a reuenir au plustost die s eux
puis qne sa maladie 1 obligeoit a s en retottrner. Le
p. de son Coste leur tesmoigna 1 affection qu il leur
portoit la satisfaction qu il auoit d eux, etleur donna
parolle que luy ou vn autre de nos peres reuiendroit
po 9 Continuer cette mission si heureusement Com-
mence e ce qu il leur promit encore a diuerses reprises
en se separant d auec eux. po 9 se mettre en
Chemin, ce qu il fit auec tant de marques d amitie" de
la part de Ces bonnes gens qu ils vouleurent 1 acorn -
pagner par honneur pendant plus de 30 lieues de
Chemin, se Chargans a 1 enuy 1 un de 1 autre de son
petit bagage.

SECTION SECONDE LE P. EST CONTRAINT DE QUITER

SA MISSION DES ILINOIS SA DERNIERE

MALADIE, SA PRETIEUSE MORT

AU MILIEU DES FORETS.

APRES que les Ilinois eurent prit Conge" du pere
remplis d une grande ide"e de 1 euangile, il Con-
tinua son voyage et se rendit peu apres sur le lac des
Ilinois sur lequel il auoit pres de cent lieues a faire
par vne routte inconneiie a ou il n auoit Jamais este"
parce qu il estoit oblige de prendre du Costd du sud
de ce lac estant venue par celuy du nord. Mais
ses forces diminuerent de telle facon que ses deux
ho es . desespererent de le porter en vie Jusqu au
terme de leur voyage Car de fait il deuint si foible
etsiespuise" qu il ne pouuoit plus s ayder n y mesme

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S SECOND VO YA GE 191

the third Day after, which was easter Sunday, things
being prepared in the same manner as on Thursday,
he celebrated the holy mysteries for the 2nd time;
And by these two, the only sacrifices ever offered there
to God, he took possession of that land in the name
of Jesus Christ, and gave to that mission the name
of the Immaculate Conception of the blessed virgin.
He was listened to by all those peoples with uni
versal Joy; and they prayed him with most earnest
Entreaty to come back to them as soon as possible,
since his sickness obliged him to return. The father,
on his Side, expressed to them the affection which
he felt for them, and the satisfaction that they had
given him ; and pledged them his word that he, or
some other of our fathers would return to Carry on
that mission so happily Inaugurated. This promise
he repeated several times, while parting with them
to go upon his Way ; and he set out with so many
tokens of regard on the part of Those good peoples
that, as a mark of honor they chose to escort him for
more than 30 leagues on the Road, vying with each
other in taking Charge of his slender baggage.

SECTION SECOND. THE FATHER IS COMPELLED TO

LEAVE HIS ILINOIS MISSION. HIS LAST

ILLNESS. HIS PRECIOUS DEATH IN

THE HEART OF THE FOREST.

AFTER the Ilinois, filled with great esteem for the
gospel, had taken Leave of the father, he Con
tinued his journey, and shortly after reached the lake
of the Ilinois, upon whose waters he had to journey
nearly a hundred leagues, by an unknown route,
whereon he had Never before traveled ; for he was
obliged to coast along the southern Shore of the lake,

192 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

se remuer, et il falloit le manier et le porter coe vn
enfant.

Cependant il Conseruoit en cet estat vne egalite
d esprit vne resignation, vne Joye et vne douceur
admirable, consolant ces chers Compagnons, et les
encourageant a souffrir patiemment toutes les fa
tigues de ce voyage dans 1 asseurance que Dieu ne les
abandonneroit pas apres sa mort ; ce fut pendant cette
nauigation qu il commanga a s y preparer plus par-
ticulierement. II s entretenoit par diuers Colloques
tantost auec nostre Seigneur tantost auec sa sacr6e
mere, ou auec son ange gardien ou auec tout le para-
dis, on 1 entendoit souuent repeter ^[C]es parolles,
credo quod redemptor meus viuit, ou bien maria
mater gratiae, mater dei memento mei, outre sa
lecture spirituelle qu on luy faisoit tous les Jours, il
pria sur la fin qu on luy leust sa meditation de la
preparation a la mort qu il portoit sur luy, il recitoit
tous les Jours son breuiare, et quoy qu il fut si bas
que sa veiie et ses forces estoit beaucoup diminue es
II ne cessa point jusqu au dernier jour de sa vie apres
que ses gens luy en eurent faict scrupule.

huit Jours auant sa mort il eut la pensee de faire
de 1 eau benite po 9 luy seruir pendant le reste de sa
maladie, a son agonie, et a sa sepulture, et il Instrui-
sit ses Compagnons comment il en fa/loit vser.

La veille de son trepas qui fut vn vendredy il leur
dit tout Joyeux que ce seroit le lendemain, il les
entretint pendant tout ce Jour de ce qu il y auoit a
faire po 9 son enterrement, de la maniere dont il
faloit 1 enseuellir, de la place qu il faloit choisir po 9
1 enterrer, comment il luy faudroit acomoder les
pieds les mains, et le visage, coe ils esleueroient vne

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 193

having- come by the northern. But his strength was
so rapidly diminishing that his two men despaired of
being able to bring him alive To the end of their
journey. Indeed, he became so feeble and exhausted
that he was unable to assist or even to move himself,
and had to be handled and carried about like a child.

Meanwhile, he Preserved in that condition an
admirable equanimity, resignation, Joy, and gentle
ness, consoling his dear Companions and encouraging
them to suffer patiently all the hardships of that
voyage, in the assurance that God would not abandon
them after his death. It was during this voyage
that he began to make more special preparation for
death. He held Communion, sometimes with our
Lord, sometimes with his holy mother, or with his
guardian angel, or with all paradise. He was often
overheard repeating These words, Credo quod redemp-
tor meus vivit; or, maria, mater gratia, mater dei,
memento mei. In addition to the spiritual exercise,
which was read to him every Day, he requested
toward the close that they would read to him his
meditation preparatory for death, which he carried
about with him. He recited every Day his breviary ;
and although he was so low that his sight and
strength were greatly enfeebled, He continued to do
so to the last day of his life, despite the remonstrance
of his companions.

Eight Days before his death, he was thoughtful
enough to prepare the holy water for use during the
rest of his illness, in his agony, and at his burial ; and
he Instructed his Companions how it should be used.

The evening before his death, which was a friday,
he told them, very Joyously, that it would take place
on the morrow. He conversed with them during

194 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

Croix sur son tombeau Jusques la mesme qu il les
aduertit 3 heures auant que d expirer que si tost
qu il seroit mort qu ils prissent la Clochete de sa
Chapelle po 9 la sonner pendant qu ils le porteroient
en terre parlant de toutes ces choses auec tant de
repos et auec vne si grande presence d esprit qu on
cut creu qu il s agissoit de la mort et des funerailles
de quelq 9 autre et non pas des siennes.

Ainsi les entretenoit il en chemin faisant sur le
lac jusqu a ce qu ayant aperceu vne riuiere sur le
bord de laquelle il y auoit vne eminence qu il trou-
uoit bien propre po 9 y estre enterr6 ; II leur dit que
C estoit la le lieu de son dernier repos, ils vouleurent
pourtant passer outre parce que le temps le
permetoit, et le jour n estoit pas aduance" mais dieu
suscita vn vent Contraire qui les obligea de retour-
ner et entrer dans la riuiere que le p leur auoit
designed. Ils le desbarquent done ils luy alument
vn peu de feu, ils luy dressent vne meschante Cabane
d escorce, ils 1 y couchent le moins mal qu ils
peuuent, mais ils estoient si saisis de tristesse qu ils
ont dit du depuis qu ils ne scauoient presque ce
qu ils faisoient.

Le p. estant ainsi Couche* a peu pres coe s*. f*.
xauier, ce qu il auoit tousjours souhaite" auec tant de
passion, et se voyant seul au milieu de Ces forets,
car ses compagnons estoient ocupes a desbarquer, il
eut loisir de repeter tous les actes auxquels il s estoit
entreteneu pendant ces derniers Jours.

Ses chers compagnons s estans ensuite aproche*s
de luy tous abatus il les Consola et leur fit esperer
que Dieu auroit soin d eux apres sa mort, dans ces
pai s nouueaux, et inconneus, II leur donna les der-

1673 - 77] MA RQUETTE S SECOND VO YA GE 195

the whole Day as to what would need to be done for
his burial : about the manner in which they should
inter him ; of the spot that should be chosen for his
grave; how his feet, his hands, and his face should
be arranged ; how they should erect a Cross over his
grave. He even went so Far as to counsel them, 3
hours before he expired, that as soon as he was dead
they should take the little Hand-bell of his Chapel,
and sound it while he was being put under ground.
He spoke of all these things with so great tranquil
lity and presence of mind that one might have supposed
that he was concerned with the death and funeral of
some other person, and not with his own.

Thus did he converse with them as they made
their way upon the lake, until, having perceived a
river, on the shore of which stood an eminence that
he deemed well suited to be the place of his inter
ment, he told them that That was the place of his
last repose. 45 They wished, however, to proceed
farther, as the weather was favorable, and the day
was not far advanced; but God raised a Contrary
wind, which compelled them to return, and enter the
river which the father had pointed out. They accord
ingly brought him to the land, lighted a little fire for
him, and prepared for him a wretched Cabin of bark.
They laid him down therein, in the least uncomfort
able way that they could ; but they were so stricken
with sorrow that, as they have since said, they hardly
knew what they were doing.

The father, being thus Stretched on the ground in
much the same way as was st. francis xavier, as
he had always so passionately desired, and finding
himself alone in the midst of These forests, for his
companions were occupied with the disembarkation,

196 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 69

nieres Instructions, les remercia de toutes les charites
qu ils auoient exerces en son endroit pendant tout le
voyage, leur demanda pardon des peines qu il leur
auoit donne"es, les chargea de demander pardon aussi
de sa part a tous nos peres et freres qui sont dans le
pai s des outaoiiacs, et voulut bien les disposer a rece-
uoir le sacrement de penitence, qu il leur aministra
po 9 la derniere fois; il leur donna aussi vn papier
dans lequel il auoit escrit toutes ses fautes depuis sa
derniere Confession po 9 le mettre entre les mains
du p. sup 1 ", a fin de 1 obliger a prier Dieu po 9 luy plus
particulierement En fin il leur promit qu il ne les
oublieroit point dans le paradis, et coe il estoit fort
Compassif sachant qu ils estoient bien las par les
fatigues des Jours precedents, il leur ordonna d aller
prendre vn peu de repos, les asseurant que son heure
n estoit pas encore si proche, qu il les esueilleroit
quand il en seroit temps; coe de fait 2 ou 3 heures
apres il les apella estant tout prest d entrer dans
1 agonie.

quand ils furent aproches il les embrassa encore
vne fois pendant qu ils fondoient en larmes a ses
pieds ; puis il leur demanda de 1 eau benite et son
reliquaire, et ayant luy mesme oste son Crucifix qu il
portoit tousjours pendu a son col, il le mit entre les
mains d un de ses Compagnons le priant de le tenir
tousjours vis a vis de luy eleue" deuant ses yeux et
sentant qu il ne luy restoit que fort peu de temps a
viure, il fit vn dernier effort Joigner les mains, et
tenant tousjours les yeux. doucement attaches a son
Crucifix, il fit a haute voix sa profession de foy, et
remercia la diuine majeste de la grande grace qu il
luy faisoit de mourir dans la Comp e . d y mourir

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 197

he had leisure to repeat all the acts in which he had
continued during these last Days.

His dear companions having afterward rejoined
him, all disconsolate, he Comforted them, and in
spired them with the confidence that God would take
care of them after his death, in these new and
unknown countries. He gave them the last Instruc
tions, thanked them for all the charities which they
had exercised in his behalf during the whole jour
ney, and entreated pardon for the trouble that he
had given them. He charged them to ask pardon
for him also, from all our fathers and brethren who
live in the country of the outaouacs. Then he under
took to prepare them for the sacrament of penance,
which he administered to them for the last time. He
gave them also a paper on which he had written all
his faults since his own last Confession, that they
might place it in the hands of the father superior,
that the latter might be enabled to pray to God for
him in a more special manner. Finally, he promised
not to forget them in paradise. And, as he was very
Considerate, knowing that they were much fatigued
with the hardships of the preceding Days, he bade
them go and take a little repose. He assured them
that his hour was not yet so very near, and that he
would awaken them when the time should come
as, in fact, 2 or 3 hours afterward he did summon
them, being ready to enter into the agony.

They drew near to him, and he embraced them
once again, while they burst into tears at his feet.
Then he asked for holy water and his reliquary ; and
having himself removed his Crucifix, which he
carried always suspended round his neck, he placed
it in the hands of one of his Companions, begging

198 LES RELATIONS DES JESUJTES [VOL. 59

missionnaire de J. C. et sur tout d y mourir coe il
1 auoit tousjours demand6 dans vne Chetiue cabane,
au milieu des forets, et dans 1 abandon de tout
secours humain.

Apres cela il se teut, s entretenant en luy mesme
auec Dieu il laissoit neantmoins eschaper de temps
en temps ces mots sustinuit anima mea in verbo
ejus, ou bien celles cy mater dei memento mei qui
sont les dernieres parolles qu il prononca auant que
d entrer dans 1 agonie qui fut tousjours tres douce
et fort tranquille.

II auoit prie" ses Compagnons de le faire souuenir
quand ils le verroient pres d expirer de prononcer
souuent les noms de Jesus et de marie s il ne le fai-
soit pas de luy mesme. Ils n y manquerent pas, et
lors qu ils le Crurent pres de passer 1 un d eux Cria
tout haut Jesvs Maria ce que le mourant repeta
distinctement et plusieurs fois et coe si a Ces noms
sacre"s quelq 9 Chose se fut presented a luy, il leua
tout d un Coup les yeux au dessus de son Cruci
fix les tenant Coll6s sur cest objet qu il sembloit
regarder auec plaisir, et ainssi le visage riant
et enname" il expira sans aucune Conueulsion, et
auec vne douceur qu on peut apeller vn agreable
sommeil.

ses deux pauures Compagnons apres auoir versse
bien des larmes sur son Corps, et apres 1 auoir
acomode" de la maniere qu il leur auoit prescrite le
porterent denotement en terre sonnant la Clochete
coe il leur auoit dit, et dresserent vne grande Croix
proche de son tombeau po 9 seruir de marque aux
passants.

Quand il fut question de s embarquer po 9 partir

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 199

him to hold it before his eyes. Then, feeling that
he had but a short time to live, he made a last effort,
Clasped his hands, and, with a steady and fond look
upon his Crucifix, he uttered aloud his profession of
faith, and gave thanks to the divine majesty for the
great favor which he had accorded him of dying in
the Society, of dying in it as a missionary of Jesus
Christ, and, above all, of dying in it, as he had
always prayed, in a Wretched cabin in the midst of
the forests and bereft of all human succor.

After that, he was silent, communing within
himself with God. Nevertheless, he let escape from
time to time these words, Sustinuit anima mea in verbo
ejus; or these, Mater Dei t memento mei-- which were
the last words that he uttered before entering his
agony, which was, however, very mild and peaceful.

He had prayed his Companions to put him in mind,
when they should see him about to expire, to repeat
frequently the names of Jesus and mary, if he could
not himself do so. They did as they were bidden ;
and, when they Believed him to be near his end, one
of them Called aloud, Jesus, Mary ! The dying
man repeated the words distinctly, several times;
and as if, at These sacred names, Something pre
sented itself to him, he Suddenly raised his eyes
above his Crucifix, holding them Riveted on that
object, which he appeared to regard with pleasure.
And so, with a countenance beaming and all aglow,
he expired without any Struggle, and so gently that
it might have been regarded as a pleasant sleep.

His two poor Companions, shedding many tears
over him, composed his Body in the manner which
he had prescribed to them. Then they carried him
devoutly to burial, ringing the while the little Bell

200 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

1 un des deux qui depuis quelques Jours auoit le
Coeur tellement saisi de tristesse et si fort acable"
d une douleur d estomac qu il ne pouuoit plus ny
manger n y respirer que bien dificilement s aduisa
pendant que 1 autre preparoit toutes choses po 9 1 em-
barquement; s aduisa d aller sur le tombeau de son
bon pere, po 9 le prier de 1 ayder au pres de la
glorieuse vierge coe il luy auoit promis ne doubtant
point qu il ne fut dans le Ciel, il se mit done a
genoux, faict vne Court priere et ayant pris auec
respect de la terre du sepulchre, il 1 a mit sur sa
poitrine ; et aussi tost son mal Cessa et sa tristesse
fut changed en vne Joye qu il a du depuis conserue"e
pendant son voyage.

SECTION 3 E CE QUI S EST PASSE AU TRANSPORT

DES OSSAMENS DU FEU P. MARQUETTE QUI ONT

ESTE RETIRES DU SEPULCHRE LE 19 DE

MAY 1677, QUI EST LE MESME JOUR

QU IL MOURUT L AN 1675.

ABREGE DE SES VERTUS.

DIEU n a pas voulu permettre qu un depost si pre-
tieux, demeurast au milieu des bois sans hon-
neur et dans 1 oubly. Les sauuages nommes KisKa-
Kons qui font proffession publiq 9 du Christianisme
depuis pres de dix ans, et qui ont est6 instruit par le
p. Marquette lors qu il demeuroit a la pointe du s l .
Esprit a I extremite du lac sup r . ont faict leur chasse
1 hyuer pass6 aux enuirons du lac des Ilinois et coe
ils s en retournoient au printemps ils furent bien aise
de passer proche le tombeau de leur bon pere qu ils
aymoient tendrement et mesme Dieu leur donna la
pense"e d enleuer ses ossamens p. les transporter en

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S SECOND VO YA GE

201

as he had bidden them ; and planted a large Cross
near to his grave, as a sign to passers-by.

When it became a question of embarking, to pro
ceed on their journey, one of the two, who for some
Days had been so Heartsick with sorrow, and so
greatly prostrated with an internal malady, that he
could no longer eat or breathe except with difficulty,
bethought himself, while the other was making all
preparations for embarking, to visit the grave of his
good father, and ask his intercession with the glori
ous virgin, as he had promised, not doubting in the
least that he was in Heaven. He fell, then, upon
his knees, made a Short prayer, and having rever
ently taken some earth from the tomb, he pressed it
to his breast. Immediately his sickness Abated, and
his sorrow was changed into a Joy which did not
forsake him during the remainder of his journey.

SECTION 3RD. WHAT OCCURRED AT THE REMOVAL

OF THE BONES OF THE LATE FATHER MARQUETTE,

WHICH WERE TAKEN FROM HIS GRAVE ON THE

IQTH OF MAY, 1677, THE SAME DAY AS THAT

ON WHICH HE DIED IN THE YEAR 1675. M

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF HIS VIRTUES.

GOD did not permit that a deposit so precious
should remain in the midst of the forest, un-
honored and forgotten. The savages named Kiska-
kons, who have been making public profession of
Christianity for nearly ten years, and who were
instructed by father Marquette when he lived at the
point of st. Esprit, at the extremity of lake superior,
carried on their last winter s hunting in the vicinity
of the lake of the Ilinois. As they were returning
in the spring, they were greatly pleased to pass near

202 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

nostre Eglise de la mission de s 1 . Ignace a missilima-
Kinac ou ils font leur demeure.

Us se rendirent done sur le lieu, et deliberent
ensemble d agir a 1 esgard du pere suiuant ce qu ils
ont Coustume de faire enuers Ceux po 9 qui ils ont
bien du respect ; Ils ouurent done la fosse ils deue-
lopent le Corps, et quoy q 9 la Chair et les Intestins
fusent tous Consumes ils le trouuent entier sans que
la peau fut en aucune facon endomagee, ce qui n em-
pecha pas qu ils n en fissent la dissection a leur
ordinaire ils lauerent les os et les exposerent au soleil
po 9 les seicher, apres quoy les ayant bien range s
dans vne quaisse d escorce de bouleau, ils se mirent
en chemin po 9 no 9 les aporter en nostre mission de
s*. Ignace.

Ils estoient pres de 30 Canots qui faisoient sa con-
uoy auec vn tres bel ordre, il s y trouua mesme vn
tres bon nombre d jroquois qui s estoient Joints a nos
sauuages algonquins po 9 faire plus d honneur a cette
ceremonie. quand ils aprocherent de nostre maison,
le p nouuel qui y est sup r . fut au deuant d eux auec
le p. piercon acompagne" de ce qu il y auoit de francois
et de sauuages, et ayant faict arrester le Conuoy, il fit
les interogations ordinaires po 9 verifier que C estoit
veritablement le corps du p. qu ils aportoient, et
auant que de le descendre a terre on Entonna le de
profundis a la veiie de ces 30 Canots qui estoient
tousjours a 1 eau, et de tout le peuple qui estoit
a terre. apres cela on porta le Corps a 1 eglise
gardant tout ce que le rituel marque en semblables
ceremonies, il demeura expos6 tout ce Jour la sous
la representation qui fut la 2 de . feste de la pente-
coste 8 de Juin et le 1 endemain apres qu on luy eut

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 203

the grave of their good father, whom they tenderly
loved ; and God also put it into their hearts to remove
his bones and bring them to our Church at the
mission of st. Ignace at missilimakinac, where those
savages make their abode.

They repaired, then, to the spot, and resolved
among themselves to act in regard to the father as they
are Wont to do toward Those for whom they profess
great respect. Accordingly, they opened the grave,
and uncovered the Body; and, although the Flesh
and Internal organs were all Dried up, they found
it entire, so that not even the skin was in any way
injured. This did not prevent them from proceed
ing to dissect it, as is their custom. They cleansed the
bones and exposed them to the sun to dry; then,
carefully laying them in a box of birch-bark, they
set out to bring them to our mission of st. Ignace.

There were nearly 30 Canoes which formed, in
excellent order, that funeral procession. There were
also a goodly number of iroquois, who United with
our algonquin savages to lend more honor to the
ceremonial. When they drew near our house,
father nouvel, who is its superior, with father pier-
con, went out to meet them, accompanied by the
frenchmen and savages who were there ; and having
halted the Procession, he put the usual questions to
them, to make sure that It was really the father s
body which they were bringing. Before conveying it
to land, they Intoned the -de profundis in the presence
of the 30 Canoes, which were still on the water, and
of the people who were on the shore. After that, the
Body was carried to the church, care being taken to
observe all that the ritual appoints in such ceremo
nies. It remained exposed under the pall, all that

204 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

rendu tons les deuoirs funebres il fut mis dans
vn petit Caueau au milieu de 1 eglise, ou il repose
coe l ange tutelaire de nos missions des outaouas.
Les sauuages viennent prier souuent sur son tombeau
et po 9 n en pas dire d auantage vne jeune fille age"e
de 19 a 20 ans que le feu p. auoit Instruite, et qui
fut baptised Tan passe estant tombee malade et
s estant adressee au p. nouuel po 9 estre saignde, et
prendre quelques remedes le p. luy ordonna po 9
toute medecine de venir pendant 3 Jours dire vn
pater et trois aues sur le tombeau du p. marquette,
ce qu elle fit et auant le 3 e Jour elle fut guerie sans
saigne"e, et sans aucuns autres remedes.

Le p. Jaques marquette de la pro ce . de champagne,
est mort a 1 age de 38 ans dont il en a passe 21 en la
Compagnie, scauoir 12 en france et 9 en Canada. II
fut enuoye dans les missions des algonquins supe-
rieurs qu on nome outaouacs, et y a trauaille" auec vn
Zel/e qu on doit atendre d un ho e . qui s est propose"
s l . f. xauier po 9 le mode/le de sa vie et de sa mort.
II a mute" ce grand S. non seulement par la diuercite"
des langues barbares qu il a aprises mais aussi par
1 estendue de son Zel/e qui luy a faict porter la foy
Jusques a I extremit6 de ce nouueau monde, et a pres
de 800 lieiies d icy dans les forets ou jamais le nom
de J. C. n auoit este" anonce.

II a tous jours demand6 a Dieu de finir sa vie dans
ces laborieuses missions et de mourir au milieu des
bois coe son cher s l . xauier dans vn abandon g at
de toutes choses. II Interposoit tous les Jours po 9
cela les merites de J. C. et 1 interssession de la
vierge Immacule e; po 9 laquelle il auoit vne rare
tendresse.

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S SECOND VO YA GE 205

Day, which was whitsun-monday, the 8th of June ;
and on the morrow, after having rendered to it all
the funeral rites, it was lowered into a small Vault in
the middle of the church, where it rests as the guar
dian angel of our outaouas missions. The savages
often come to pray over his tomb. Not to mention
more than this instance, a young girl, aged 19 or 20
years, whom the late father had Instructed, and who
had been baptized in the past year, fell sick, and
applied to father nouvel to be bled and to take cer
tain remedies. The father prescribed to her, as sole
medicine, to come for 3 Days and say a pater and
three avis at the tomb of father marquette. She
did so, and before the 3rd Day was cured, without
bleeding or any other remedies.

Father Jaques marquette, of the province of cham
pagne, died at the age of 38 years, of which 21 were
passed in the Society --namely, 12 in f ranee and 9
in Canada. He was sent to the missions of the upper
algonquins, who are called outaouacs; and labored
therein with the Zeal that might be expected from a
man who had proposed to himself st. francis xavier
as the model of his life and death. He resembled
that great Saint, not only in the variety of barbarian
languages which he mastered, but also by the range
of his Zeal, which made him carry the faith To the
ends of this new world, and nearly 800 leagues from
here into the forests, where the name of Jesus Christ
had never been proclaimed.

He always entreated God that he might end his
life in these laborious missions, and that, like his
dear st. xavier, he might die in the midst of the
woods, bereft of everything. Every Day, he Inter
posed for that end both the merits of Jesus Christ

206 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

Aussi a t il obtenu par de si puissant mediateurs ce
qu il a demand^ auec tant d instance puis qu il a eu
le bonheur de mourir coe 1 apostre des Indes dans
vne mechante cabane sur le riuage du lac Ilinois,
abandonne" de tout le monde.

Nous aurions bien de choses a dire des rares
vertus de ce genereux missionnaire de son Zel/e qui
luy a faict porter la foy si loing et anoncer 1 euangille
a tant de peuples qui nous estoient inconnus ; de sa
douceur qui le rendit aymable a tout le monde, et
qui le faisoit tout a tous, francois auec les francois,
huron auec les hurons algonquin auec les algonquins ;
de sa Candeur d enfant po 9 se descouurir a ses sup rs et
mesme a toute sorte de perssonnes auec vne jngenuite"
qui gagnoit tous les Cceurs ; de sa Chastet6 angelique ;
de son vnion auec Dieu continuelle.

Mais celle qui a Coe predomine", estoit vne deuo-
tion tout a faict rare, et singuliere a la s te vierge en
particulierement enuers le mistere de son immacule e
conception. II y auoit plaisir de 1 entendre parler
ou prescher sur cette matiere toutes ses conuerssa-
tions et ses lettres auoient quelq 9 chose de la s te .
vierge Immaculee, c est ainssi qu il la nommoit tous-
jours, II a Jeune depuis 1 age de 9 ans tous les same-
dis, et des sa plus tendre Jeunesse, il a Commence e a
dire le petit office de la Conception, Inspirant cette
deuotion a tout le monde quelques mois auant sa
mort il disoit tous les Jours auec ses deux ho es . vne
petite couronne de 1 immacule e conception qu il auoit
inuente de cette sorte ; Apres le Credo on dit vne
fois le pater et I au6, et puis 4 fois ces parolles, au6
filia dei patris aue" mater filij dei, au sponsa spiritus
sancti aue templum totius trinitatis, per sanctam

1673 - 77] MA R Q UETTE S SECOND VO YA GE 207

and the intercession of the virgin Immaculate, for
whom he entertained a singular tenderness.

Accordingly, he obtained through such powerful
mediators that which he solicited with so much ear
nestness ; since he had, like the apostle of the Indies,
the happiness to die in a wretched cabin on the shore
of lake Ilinois, forsaken by all the world.

We might say much of the rare virtues of this
noble missionary: of his Zeal, which prompted him
to carry the faith so far, and proclaim the gospel to
so many peoples who were unknown to us ; of his
gentleness, which rendered him beloved by all, and
made him all things to all men a frenchman with
the french, a huron with the hurons, an algonquin
with the algonquins; of the childlike Candor with
which he disclosed his heart to his superiors, and
even to all kinds of persons, with an ingenuousness
which won all Hearts; of his angelic Chastity; and
of his uninterrupted union with God.

But that which Apparently predominated was a
devotion, altogether rare and singular, to the blessed
virgin, and particularly toward the mystery of her
immaculate conception. It was a pleasure to hear
him speak or preach on that subject. All his con
versations and letters contained something about the
blessed virgin Immaculate for so he always called
her. From the age of 9 years, he Fasted every
Saturday; and from his tenderest Youth Began to
say the little office of the Conception, Inspiring
every one with the same devotion. Some months
before his death, he said every Day with his two
men a little corona of the immaculate conception
which he had devised as follows: After the Credo,
there is said once the pater and ave, and then 4 times

208 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

virginitatem et immaculatam conceptionem tuam
purissima virgo emunda Cor et Carnem meam, in
nomine patris ; et filij [et] spiritus sancti ; et enfin le
gloria patry et le tout se repetoit trois fois.

II n a Jamais manque de Dire la messe de la Con
ception ou du moins, 1 oraison quand il 1 a pu, il ne
pensoit presque a autre chose Jour et nuit, et po 9 nous
laisser vne marque eternelle de ses sentiments il a
vouleu donner le nom de la Conception a la mission
des Ilinois.

Vne si tendre deuotion enuers la mere de Dieu
meritoit quelq 9 grace singuliere aussi luy a t elle
acorde la faueur qu il luy auoit tousjours demande e
de mourir vn samedy ; et ses compagnons ne doubtent
point qu elle ne se soit faite voir a luy a 1 heure de
sa mort, lors qu apres auoir prononce les noms de
Jesus et marie il haussa tout d un Coup les yeux au
dessus de son Crucifix les tenant attache s sur vn
objet qu il regardoit auec tant de plaisir, et auec
vne Joye qui paroissoit sur son visage et ils eurent
alors cette impression qu il auoit rendu son ame entre
les mains de sa bonne mere.

Vne des dernieres lettres qu il a escrites au p.
sup r . des missions auant son grand voyage montre
ass6s qu ils estoient ses sentiments voicy coe il la
Commence. La S te . vierge immacule e m a obtenu la
grace d arriuer icy en bonne sante, et dans la resolu
tion de corespondre aux desseins que Dieu a sur moy
m ayant destin6 po 9 le vo}^age du sud. Je n ay
point d autre pense"e sinon de faire ce que Dieu veut.
ie n aprehende rien ny les nadoissis, ny 1 abord des
nations ne m estonne pas; de deux Choses Tune ou
Dieu me punira de mes crimes et de mes lachetes,

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 209

these words: Ave filia Dei patris, ave mater filii Dei,
ave sponsa spiritus sancti, ave templum totius trinitatis:
per sanctam virginitatem et immaculatam conceptionem
tuam, purissima virgo, emunda Cor et Carnem meant: tn
nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti, concluding
with the gloria patri, the whole repeated three times.

He Never failed to Say the mass of the Concep
tion, or, at least, when he could do so, the prayer
of the Conception. He hardly meditated upon any
thing else Day and night. That he might leave us
an ever-enduring testimony of his sentiments, it was
his desire to bestow on the mission of the Ilinois the
name of la Conception.

So tender a devotion toward the mother of God
merited some singular grace ; and she accorded him
the favor that he had always requested to die on a
Saturday. His companions never doubted that she
appeared to him at the hour of his death, when,
after pronouncing the names of Jesus and mary, he
Suddenly raised his eyes above his Crucifix, holding
them fixed on an object which he regarded with
extreme pleasure, and a Joy that showed itself upon
his features ; and they had, at that time, the impres
sion that he had rendered up his soul into the hands
of his good mother.

One of the last letters that he wrote to the father
superior of the missions before his great voyage, is
sufficient evidence that such were his sentiments.
He Begins it thus: " The Blessed virgin immaculate
has obtained for me the favor of reaching this place
in good health, and with the resolve to correspond
to the intentions which God has respecting me, since
he has assigned me to the voyage toward the south.
I have no other thought than that of doing what God

210 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

ou bien il me faira part de sa Croix que ie n ay point
encore porte"e depuis que ie suis en ce pays icy Mais
putestre qu elle m est obtenue par la s te . vierge im-
macule~e ou peut estre vne mort po 9 cesser d offencer
Dieu, cest a quoy ie tache de me tenir prest m aban-
donnant tout a faict entre ses mains. Je prie V. R.
de ne me point oublier et de m obtenir de Dieu
que ie ne demeure point ingrat des graces dont il
m acable.

on a trouu6 parmy les papiers vn Cahier intitu!6
la Conduite de Dieu sur vn missionnaire ou il faict
voir 1 excelence de cette vocation, les aduantages
qu on y trouue po 9 s y sanctifier et Ie soin que Dieu
prend des ouuriers Euangeliques, on voit dans ce
petite abreg<S 1 esprit de Dieu dont il estoit possede"

1673-77] MARQUETTE S SECOND VOYAGE 211

wills. I dread nothing neither the nadoissis, nor
the reception awaiting me among the nations, dis
may me. One of two Things will happen: either
God will punish me for my crimes and cowardice, or
else he will give me a share in his Cross, which I
have not yet carried since my arrival in this country.
But this Cross has been perhaps obtained for me by
the blessed virgin immaculate, or it may be death
itself, that I may cease to offend God. It is that for
which I try to hold myself in readiness, surrendering
myself altogether into his hands. I entreat Your
Reverence not to forget me, and to obtain for me of
God that I may not remain ungrateful for the favors
which he heaps upon me."

There was found among his papers a Manuscript
entitled " The Directing care of God over a mission
ary, in which he shows the excellence of that voca
tion, the advantages which it affords for self-sanctifi-
cation, and the care that God takes of Gospel laborers.
One sees in this little abstract the spirit of God
which possessed him.

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MARQUETTE S JOURNAL, 1674-75

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CXXXIX

ETAT PRESENT DES MISSIONS EN LA
NOUVELLE- FRANCE, 167^

SOURCE : In publishing this document, we follow mainly
the text given in Douniol s Relations ine dites, t. ii., pp.
17-95. We omit therefrom pp. 21-33, as being a duplica
tion of our Doc. CXXXVIII. ; and substitute for it an extract
from Dablon s MS. Relation of 1673-79 (see Bibliographical
Data of present volume), which covers Allouez s work in the
missions of St. Mark and St. Jacques in 1674-75- We also
substitute, for most of pp. 59-64 of Douniol, another extract
from the Dablon MS., as being a fuller description of Laval s
visit to La Prairie.

We print the Douniol text in roman type, and matter
substituted therefor in italic. In the MS. of 1673-79 a few
minor corrections were made by Dablon; the words deleted
by him are here printed in brackets.

ETAT PRESENT

DES

MISSIONS

DES
PERES DE LA COMPAGNIE DE JESUS

EN LA

NOUVELLE-FRANCE,

Pendant 1 annee

PRESENT CONDITION

OF THE

M ISSIONS

OF THE

FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

IN

NEW FRANCE,

i

During the year 167^.

216 LES RELATIONS DES J&S UITES [VOL. 59

Missions des Outaouais.

NOUS avons dans le pays des Outaouais plus de
douze Missions particulieres, entre lesquelles
il y en a trois principales, qui ont chacune une
grande chapelle tres-bien d6core"e.

La premiere de ces trois Missions est Sainte-Marie
du Sault, k 1 extremite orientale du lac superieur.
Elle est gouvernee par le P. Nouvel, qui, avec les
Peres Dreuillettes et Bailloquet, travaillent tantot
conjointement et tantot s6pare"ment, car ils doivent
donner leurs soins non-seulement aux Algonquins du
Sault, mais aussi & ceux d Ekaentouton, de Nipis-
sing et de Mississague ; ce sont trois nations consi-
de"rables, chez lesquelles les Peres vont hiverner,
les unes apres les autres.

Ils ont baptise, depuis un an, plus de 120 personnes,
nonobstant toutes les oppositions que le demon
apporte k 1 Evangile par di verses superstitions, aux-
quelles ces peuples sont si attaches, qu ils ont bien
ose" lever la hache par plusieurs fois sur la tete
des missionnaires qui s opposent k ces coutumes
diaboliques.

La seconde mission est celle de Saint-Ignace, a
Michillimakinac ; c est un lieu tres-avantageux pour
la peche, qui se trouve precisement situ6 entre le lac
des Hurons et celui des Illinois.

C est Ik ou se sont ramasse"s, depuis assez peu de
temps, les Hurons d Etionnontate", et quelques nations

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 217

Missions to the Outaouais.

IN the country of the Outaouais we have over
twelve special Missions, among them being
three chief ones, each of which has a large and
handsomely decorated chapel.

The first of these three Missions is Sainte Marie
du Sault, at the eastern end of lake superior; it is
under the charge of Father Nouvel. He and Fathers
Dreuillettes and Bailloquet work therein, sometimes
together and sometimes separately ; for they have to
devote their attention not only to the Algonquins of
the Sault, but also to those of Ekaentouton, of Nipis-
sing, and of Mississague. These are three populous
nations, with whom the Fathers go to spend the
winter, one after another.

Within a year, they have baptized over 120 per
sons, notwithstanding all the opposition that the
devil raises up against the Gospel by various super
stitions --to which these peoples are so attached that
they have even dared, on several occasions, to lift
their hatchets over the heads of the missionaries
who opposed those diabolical practices.

The second mission is that of Saint Ignace, at
Michillimakinac. This is an excellent fishing station
situated exactly between the lake of the Hurons
and that of the Illinois.

At this point, the Hurons of Etionnontate" and
some Algonquin tribes have gathered together within
a short time. A considerable number from both

218 LES RELATIONS DES jSUITES [ VOL. 59

algonquines. Un assez bon nombre des uns et des
autres font profession publique de la Foi, et y vivent
fort chre*tiennement ; les premiers sous la conduite
dti P. Pierson, qui emploie beaucoup de zele et
d industrie pour les instruire; les seconds ont eu
le P. Nouvel et le P. Marquette pour pasteurs.

La belle chapelle, qui fut acheve e il n y a qu un
an, ne fut pas plutot ouverte, qu elle fut comme
consacre"e par soixante-six baptemes. On y comptait
quarante adultes Hurons avec treize enfants, et quinze
adultes Algonquins avec trente-quatre enfants de la
meme nation. Le vendredi-saint, on y precha la
Passion en trois langues differentes. L adoration de
la Croix s y fit avec grande pie te par cinq ou six
diverses nations de Sauvages; et le jour de Paques,
seize, tant Hurons que Huronnes, y firent leur
premiere communion.

Les c6re*monies qui ont eu lieu & Noel, et par les-
quelles ces bons Sauvages ont honore" 1 Enfant Je"sus
dans la creche, sont surprenantes ; on ne peut en etre
te moin sans etre touch e" de devotion, de voir Notre-
Seigneur faire triompher son enfance au milieu de
I infidelit6.

La troisieme Mission est celle de Saint- Francois-
Xavier, un peu au delk de la baie des Puants. Elle
est comme le centre de grand nombre de nations
diffe"rentes qui sont aux environs.

Le P. Andre" cultive celles qui sont dans la baie des
Puants ; par sa fermete", il a su dompter ces esprits,
qui e*taient les plus fe"roces et les plus superstitieux,
en les assujettissant peu k peu et avec une Constance
inebranlable, au joug de la Foi. Aussi peut-on dire
qu il a une 6glise toute forme" e ; elle est compose* e de

1673-77] RELATION OF f 67^ 219

nations publicly profess the Faith, and live in a very
Christian manner : the former are under the direction
of Father Pierson, who displays much zeal and skill
in instructing them; the latter have Father Nouvel
and Father Marquette for pastors.

No sooner was the fine chapel that was finished a
year ago opened than it was consecrated, as it were,
by sixty-six baptisms. There were fourteen adult
Hurons, with thirteen children; and fifteen adult
Algonquins, with thirty-four children of the same
nation. On Good Friday, the Passion was preached
in three different languages. The adoration of the
Cross was performed with much piety by five or six
different Savage nations; and on Easter Sunday
sixteen Hurons, both men and women, made their
first communion.

The ceremonies that took place at Christmas, by
which these good Savages honored the Infant Jesus
in the cradle, are astonishing; it is impossible to
witness them without being touched with devotion
at seeing Our Lord cause his infancy to triumph in
the midst of infidelity.

The third Mission is that of Saint Fra^ois Xavier,
a short distance beyond the bay des Puants. It is a
sort of center for a great many nations dwelling in
its vicinity.

Father Andre ministers to those who live on the
bay des Puants ; by his firmness he has succeeded in
subduing their minds, which were most ferocious
and superstitious, by gradually, and with unswerving
constancy, subjecting them to the yoke of the Faith.
Thus it may be said that he has a church fully
formed ; it consists of four or five hundred Christians.

220 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

quatre & cinq cents chr^tiens ; le Pere en a baptisd
jusqu a cent quarante la derniere anne"e.

Le P. Allouez a soin des Outagamis et des Mas-
coutins, dont il a admis au bapteme, depuis un an,
plus de cent soixante. La croix que ce missionnaire
a planted au milieu de ces bourgades, y est en
veneration, et le nom de Jesus-Christ est adore"
avec grand respect, dans ces terres sauvages et infi-
deles. ... La chapelle d ecorce, que le Pere
a dress6e dans le bourg des Mascoutins, se remplit
tous les jours, a diverses reprises. Trente-sept
adultes et soixante- quinze enfants y ont 6t6 baptises,
et on y compte jusqu* a douze nations, qui sont de
trois langues diffe"rentes, et qui ne font pas moins de
vingt mille ames ramass6es en ce seul bourg. Le
P. Silvy est alle" pour aider le P. Allouez dans ses
travaux auxquels il ne pouvait plus suffire.

DES MISSIONS DE S T . JAQUES AUX MASKOUTINS, ET
DE S T . MARC AUX OUTAGAMI.

P. Claude Allouez raconte ainsi ce qui s 1 est fait
dans ces Missions.

La Mission de S. Jacques du MachKoutench, KiKabouas,
MiamiSj &c. est bien moins auancfa que I autre. Je nai
pu y vaquer que par ces visiles court es par ce que Je n auois
pas de monde pour m y mener au temps quil falloit.
Depuis V annte passe"e fy ai baptist 28 personnes dont 3
sont adultes.

II y a de grandes dispositions a la foi dans le cceur de
ces peuples. Les MachKoutens conservent toujours un
grand respect pour la croix qui est plantte chez eux. Le
bras de cette croix ayant ett rompu et jett a terre par un

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 221

The Father baptized as many as a hundred and forty
last year.

Father Allouez has charge of the Outagamis and
Mascoutins, one hundred and sixty of whom he has
admitted to baptism within a year. The cross
that this missionary planted amid these villages is
venerated there, and the name of Jesus Christ is
adored with great respect in all these wild and pagan
lands. . . . The bark chapel which the Father
has erected in the village of the Mascoutins is filled
several times every day. Thirty-seven adults and
seventy-five children have been baptized in it; there
are as many as twelve tribes, speaking three differ
ent languages, and comprising no less than twenty
thousand souls, gathered in this village alone. Fa
ther Silvy went there to help Father Allouez in his
labors, to which he was no longer equal. 47

OF THE MISSION OF ST. JAQUES TO THE MASKOU-
TINS, AND OF ST. MARC TO THE OUTAGAMI.

FATHER Claude Allouez thus relates what has been
accomplished in these Missions:

[1674.]

" The Mission of St. Jacques to the Machkoutench,
Kikabouas, Miamis, and other tribes, is far less advanced
than the other. I have only been able to attend to it by
these short visits, as I had no one to take me thither at the
proper time. Since last year I have baptized there 28
persons, of whom j are adults.

There are strong inclinations to the faith in the hearts
of these peoples. The Machkoutens always cherish a great
respect for the cross which is planted among them. The
arm of this cross having been broken and thrown down in
a heavy gale of wind, they removed it, and housed it very

222 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5$

vent impe"tueux, Us Vont retire" et serre" bien proprement
pour me le rendre. Les Miamis n ont pas moins de respect
pour celle qui est chez eux. Vnjeunefran$ois qui ne gocioit
parmi eux se mettant en cotere, tira son e pe e pour se venger
d un larcin qui lui auoit e te fait. Le Capitaine Miami
pour Vappaiser, lui montra la croix qui est plante e au bout de
sa cabane et lui dit: voila le bois de la Robe noire; il nous
apprend a prier Dieu et a ne nous pas mettre en coltre.
Ce m$me capitaine deuant que de mourir au mois d avril
dernier apres auoir demande" la Robe noire et ne Vayant
pu voir par ce qu il est mart a plus de 30 lieues du lieu ou
f e"tois, il voulut qu on port at ses os pour fare enter re s pres
de la croix, au lieu ou la Robe noire auoit sa chapelle, ce
qui a e"te" fait.

II y a en ce pays quelqu espece d idolatrie, car outre la
tete du bosuf sauvage avec ses comes qu ils tiennent dans
leurs cabanes pour Vinvoquer, Us ont les peaux a" ours
ecorche s par la tete qui ne sont point f endues par le milieu.
Us y laissent la t$te, les yeux, le museau qu Us peignent
ordinairement de verd. Ils eTevent la tete sur un poteau au
milieu de leur cabane. Le reste de la peau pend le long
du poteau jusqu 1 a terre. Ils Vinvoquent dans leurs ma
ladies, guerres et autres ne cessite s. II plut a Dieu de me
conduire ce print emps dans la cabane d"un capitaine KiKa-
boua ou ayant apergu une de ces idoles, Je le de"sabusai
tellement quil me promit de faire des que son fils seroit
venu, de cette peau d ours une robe pour ses enfants. Vne
femme des MachKoutens quirfe toit encore que cate chum$ne
apres auoir dit souvent a son mari d" 6ter de deuant ses
yeux une semblable statue, et ne pouvant V obtenir, un
Jour qu il finvoquoit en un festin solemnel pour la gue"rison
de cette femme fort malade, elle sortit de la cabane au
commencement de V invocation, et comme elle ne pouvoit

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 223

carefully, to return it to me. The Miamis hold their cross
in no less respect. A young frenchman who was trading
with them, getting into a passion, drew his sword to avenge
himself for a theft committed upon his goods. The
Miami Captain, to appease him, showed him the cross,
which is planted at the end of his cabin, and said to him:
1 Behold the tree of the black Gown! He teaches us to
pray and not to lose our temper. The same captain, before
he died, in the month of april last, after inquiring for
the black Gown and being unable to see him, inasmuch as
he was dying more than jo leagues from the place where I
was, requested that his bones might be brought to be
buried near the cross on the spot where the black Gown had
his chapel, which was carried out.

There exists in this country a species of idolatry; for,
besides the head of the wild ox, with its horns, which they
keep in their cabins to invoke, they possess bearskins,
stripped from, the head and not cut open in the middle.
They leave on them the head, the eyes, and the snout,
which they usually paint green. The head is raised on a
pole in the middle of their cabin, the remainder of the
skin hanging along the pole to the ground. They invoke
it in their sicknesses, wars, and other necessities. This
spring, it pleased God to direct me to the cabin of a Kika-
boua captain, where, having noticed one of these idols, I
undeceived him so thoroughly that he promised me, as soon
as his son should come, to make of this bearskin a dress
for his children. A woman of the Machkoutens, as yet
only a catechumen, had often requested her husband, but
without avail, to remove from her sight a similar effigy.
One Day, when he was invoking it at a solemn feast for
the recovery of this woman, who was very ill, she withdrew
from the cabin at the beginning of the invocation; and as
she could scarcely move, she dragged herself along as well

224 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

quasi se remuer, elle se traina le mieux qu elle put dehors
disant: cette idole me tue.

Cette mission auroit besoin de 2 missionnaires a cause
des 2 nations qui y sont et qui ont 2 langues diff ^rentes, et
de la multitude du monde quit y a et qui vient tous les
jours y demeurer en tres-grand nombre.

Voicy ce q 9 le p. aloue"s dit de quelques moisquil a passe
auec les outagamis en V anne"e 16*75.

Depuis mes dernier s memoir es de / annfc passte J ay
baptise" a s*. marc 52 per\s\sonnes entre lesquelles 12 sont
adultes.

Je ne pus aller en cette mission plustost que V aut\h\ome ,
apres que les sauuages eurent quite" leur village po 9 aller a
la Chasse. Je les allay chercher dans les bois le long des
riuieres et des estangs ou Us estoient a la Chasse du Castor
et du Cerf. Je receus beaucoup de satisfaction de toutes
les Cabannes que ie rencontray V espace de 4.0 lieiies. Leurs
esprits estoient tous disposes a receuoir mes Instructions, a
prier Dieu en quelq 9 temps et a quelque heure que ce fut,
et a se mettre a genoux sur la nege. lors que ie les ren-
controis hors de leurs Cabanes. Us me remercioient par
tout de ce que festois alle" les voir pour les instruire.

La prouidence de Dieu se seruit de deux Chasseurs po 9
procurer le baptesme a vn pauurevieillard aueugle et extre-
mement malade Car aussi tost quils m? eurent rencontre"
et que ie leur eus apris que ie cherchois ce vieillard, Us
quiterent leur Chasse, et me menerent che"s luy, Je r auois
autrefois Instruit. J admiray en luy les operations de la
grace, et ie fus surpris de voir de quelle maniere le s 1 . esprit
I auoit dispos^ au baptesme. II fit d" abort le signe de la
Croix, il conceuoit nos misteres, et il les expliquoit aux
autres qui estoient p nt apres que ie luy eus parle de r incar-

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 225

as she was able to the outside, exclaiming: This idol is
killing me!

This mission would require 2 missionaries on account
of the 2 nations who dwell in it, who speak 2 different
languages; and because of the multitude of people who are
continually arriving, in great numbers, to take up their
abode in it."

Let us see what father aloue"s says of the few months
which he spent with the outagamis in the year 1675.

" Since my last accounts of the past year, I have baptized
at st. marc 52 persons, among whom are 12 adults.

"/ was unable to go to this mission earlier than the
autumn, after the savages had left their village to go
Hunting. I went in quest of them into the forest, along
the rivers and ponds where they were Hunting Beaver and
Deer. I experienced much consolation in all the Cabins that
I encountered in the space 0/4.0 leagues. Their minds were
all disposed to receive my Instructions; to pray to God, at
whatever season or hour it might be; and to kneel on the
snow when I met them outside of their Cabins. Every
where they thanked me for going to see them to instruct
them.

The providence of God made use of two Hunters to
obtain the baptism of a poor old man, blind and exceedingly
ill. As soon as they had met me and I had informed them
that I was seeking the old man, they left their Hunting
and conducted me to his cabin. I had in former times
Instructed him. I admired in him the operations of grace,
and was surprised to see the way in which the holy ghost
had prepared him for baptism. He made, first, the sign
of the Cross. He understood our mysteries, and explained
them to the others who were present. After I had spoken
to him of the incarnation and the death and passion of

226 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

nation de la mart et de la passion de J. C. ie luy mis entre
les mains le Crucifix qu il apliqua sur ses yeux; et d une
voix entre- Couple de sanglots il s escria par plusieurs fois,
fils de Dieu aye s pitie" de moy, ie meurs faictes may viure
auec vous dans le del. Apres que ie I eus baptise", il se
mit a inuectiuer contre les diuinite s quil auoit autres fois
adore es. A lie s miserables Dieux, disoit il, qui nous abuse s
dans ce pays. Je nay plus de seruice a vous rendre il ny
a que Celuy qui a faict le del et la terre, et toutes Choses;
luy seul peut me guerir s il veut ie ne Grains point la
mart puts que ie viuray a Jamais au del auec luy. Dieu
voulut luy rendre la sante" po 9 en faire le predicateur de
ses grandeurs; ie Vay veu cest hyuer dans son bourg, et
J ay admire" sa ferueur. II est extremement Zelle" a
deserter les fauces diuinite s de son pays, feruent au possible
a prier Dieu, et particulierement a dire son Chape let.
II le port tousjours a son Col, et il fy serre si estroitement
qu on ne put V en retirer de peur dit il qu on ne me le
derobe sans que ie puisse men aperceuoir. sa femme, ses
enfans ses neueux estant tous tombe s malades, les Infidelles
luy dirent que le Chapelet qu il portoit a son Col luy
produisoit ce sujet d 1 affliction. II me le raconta; ie luy
demenday s il croyoit quils disoient vray, et si cela estoit
qu il me donnat son Chapelet; ie m 1 en donneray bien de
garde, dit il; Us ne disent pas ce quils penssent; Car Us
voyent bien qu il n y a que moy en bonne s ant e" pare e que ie
me sers de mon Chapelet po 9 prier dieu. II s* apelle Joseph
niKaloKita.

Apres q 9 les outagamis eurent fini leur Chasse, Us
retournerent a leur bourg, ou ie demeuray deux moys
pendant V hyuer auec eux. J eusbien des vices a Combatre
et particulierement le libertinage, et les Ide"es super stitieuses.
Ces pauures peuples sont dignes de Compassion, Car coe Us

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 227

Jesus Christ, I placed in his hands the Crucifix; he pressed
it upon his eyes, and, with a voice Broken by sobs, he cried
out many times: Son of God, have pity on me; / am
dying. Make me live with you in Heaven! After I had
baptized him, he began to inveigh against the divinities
whom he had formerly adored. Depart, miserable Gods,
he said, who delude us in this country: I have no more
service to render to you. There is only He who made
Heaven, and earth, and all Things; he alone can cure me
if he will. I do not Fear death, for I shall live Forever
in Heaven with him. God was pleased to restore him to
health, to make him the herald of his greatness. I -saw
him this winter in his village and admired his fervor.
He is extremely Zealous in decrying the false divinities of
his country, and as fervent as possible in praying to God,
especially in saying his Beads. He carries them always
around his Neck and fastens them there so tightly that they
cannot be removed, for fear, says he, lest they should
be stolen from me without my perceiving it. His wife,
children, and nephews having all fallen sick, the Infidels
told him that the Rosary which he carried around his Neck
had caused this affliction. He told me of the matter and
I asked him if he believed that they spoke truthfully,
adding that, if it were so, he should give me his Rosary.
I shall take good care not to do so, he said. They do
not say what they think, For they plainly see that I am the
only one in good health, because I use my Rosary to pray
to God. He is called Joseph nikalokita.

" After the outagamis had finished their Hunting, they
returned to their village, where I remained with them two
months during the winter. I had many vices to Contend
with, especially debauchery and superstitious Notions.
These poor people are deserving of Compassion; For, as
they are in Constant danger, it may be, of being taken

228 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

sont Continuelement dans le danger, soit d estre pris et
brusle s a petit feu par leurs ennemis, soit de mourir de
/aim dans leurs voyages, et lors quils sont a la Chasse;
Us ont entre eux coe vne tradition qui [il ] leur faict
Croyre que s Us ont quelq 9 vision on plustost quelque reue,
Us seront heureux a la Chasse et a la guerre et que deussent
Us tomber entre les mains de leurs enemis, Us s en escha-
peront. de la vient qu Us sont at ache s a Ces sortes de
reues ou de visions coe a la vie: Les per es et meres esleuent
a Cela leurs enfans des leur has age, et Us les acoutument
a faire. de longs Junes po 9 se procurer des visions et po 9
voir ou entendre quelque genie en dormant. Us le font
d une maniere si exacte et si rigoureuse qu Us demeurent
4 et 5 Jours et mesme dauantage sans manger n y boire
aucunement. Je ne scay si le diable s 1 aparoit a eux soubs
la forme de leurs pretendus genies, ou si leur cerueau vuide
apres auoir \_manger} este" si long temps sans manger leur
en faict Imaginer quelqu un; quoy qu Hen soit cette super
stition faict vne peine extreme aux missionnaires et elle les
empeche de baptiser le pluspart de ces peuples, dans la
Crainte raisonnable qu il ny ayt en Cela quelque Chose de
diabolique. Pour solidement establir le Christianisme nous
n en auons baptise" que quelques vns que nous auons conneu
auoir quite" tout es ces superstitions, vn de Ceux la ayant
este" sollicite" par son pere a Jeunner pour tacher a voir
quelque genie, il le refusa disant qu il estoit baptise", qu il
Connoissoit le grand genie dont la robe noire leur par loit,
et quiln auoit besoin d aucune autre diuinite", Et Comme
son pere luy eut reproche 1 quil seroit vn ho e . de neant toute
sa vie, il nimporte, luy repartit il ie seray grand Capitaine
au del, et Dieu me rendra heureux en me mettant au pres
de luy. L* on auoit difere" de baptiser le frere de ce feruent
Chrestien par ce qu il auoit de la peine, a ne se noircir pas

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 229

and burned at a slow fire by their enemies; or, it may be, of
dying from hunger in their journeyings and when they are
Hunting, they have among them a sort of tradition
which makes them Believe that, if they have some vision,
or rather some dream, they will be fortunate in Hunting
and war; and that, should they fall into the hands of their
enemies, they will escape from them. Thence it comes
that they cling to dreams and visions of These kinds as
they would to life. Fathers and mothers bring up their
children in This idea from their earliest years; and they
accustom them to make long Fasts, that they may obtain
visions, and may see or hear some spirit in their sleep.
They do this with such exactness and austerity as to go 4.
or 5 Days, and even longer, without eating or drinking
anything. I do not know whether the devil appears to
them under the form of their pretended spirits, or whether
their brains, weak from their having been so long without
food, make them Imagine some spirit: be that as it may,
this superstition gives extreme trouble to the missionaries,
and prevents them from baptizing the greater number of
these people, through the reasonable Fear lest there should
be in It Something diabolical. In order to establish
Christianity on a solid basis, we have baptized only a few,
who, as we knew, had given up all these superstitions.
One of These, having been entreated by his father to Fast,
that he might try to see some spirit, refused him, saying
that he was baptized, that he was Acquainted with the
great spirit of whom the black gown spoke to them, and
that he had no need of any other divinity. And, As his
father had taunted him, saying that he would be a man of
no account all his life, he replied to him: It matters
not; I shall be a great Captain in Heaven, and God
will make me happy by placing me near him. We
had delayed to baptize the brother of this fervent

230 LES RELATIONS DES jS UITES [ VOL. 59

le visage, Ce qui est vne marque de leur Jeune superstitieux,
quoy qu il aportat po 9 excuse quit le faisoit faute a" autre
Couleur po 9 se peindre le visage mats voyant qu il estoit le
seul a qui on n* acor doit pas cette grace quoy qu on Veut
accord^e a son frere, et a ses soeurs a qui il ne cedoit point
d"ailleurs po 9 Vassiduitt a venir prier Dieu a la Chapelle,
vn matin il se peignit le visage de blanc [a sa Cabane\ et
s adressant a son pere; Je me moque luy dit il de tous ces
petits genies que vo 9 me faictes chercher, ie veux obeir
vniquement a la robe noire, qui me defend ce que vo 9
m ordonne"s. II me vint en suite demander le Baptesme
que J acor day a sa perseuerence.

Le vendredy sainct la plus part de nos Chrestiens
baiserent et adorent la Croix, les plus feruens en empor-
terent Che s eux chascun vne petite que fauois benite po 9 la
leur donner, et a fin qu 1 elle leur seruit Coe d* image deuant
laquelle Us fissent leurs prier es.

Je n* ay pas de peine d introduire parmy eux les jeunes
de V eglise puis q 9 ce leur est vne Chose si ord re . de Jeuner
que quiquonque parmy eux ne jeune pas de temps en temps
il passe po 9 vn mechant ho*, aussi J ay creu deuoir sancti-
fier leurs superstitions mesmes, et d un jeune Criminel en
faire vnjune meritoire. Je leur ay enseigne" de jeuner le
caresme, et ie les ay aduertis que ce n estoit pas po 9 voir
quelq 9 petit genie mats po 9 mater la Chair, et po 9 faire
penitence des peche s qu ils commetoient Contre la diuine
majest^.

Tous nos Chrestiens ont vne grande affection a leur
chapelet. Lors qu on leur a faict present de quelque Chose
Us ne la gardent pas ordinairement, mais Us la donnent a
d autres il n y a que po 9 la Chapelet qu ils ne gardent
pas cette coustume. Vn jeune ho e . dans la Chaleur dujeu,
se laissa emporter a jouer le sien, et il le per dit, il en fut

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 231

Christian , because it was with difficulty that he
refrained from blackening his face, Which is indicative of
their superstitious Fast, although he alleged, as an
excuse, that he had no other Color with which to paint his
face. But, seeing that he was the only one to whom this
grace had not been accorded, although it had been granted
to his brother and his sisters, to whom he did not other
wise yield in diligence in coming to pray to God in the
Chapel, one morning [in his Cabin} he painted his face
white; and, addressing his father, he said, I pay no heed
to all these petty spirits whom you would have me seek. I
will be obedient only to the black gown, who forbids me
what you enjoin upon me. He came to me afterward, to
ask for Baptism, which I granted to his perseverance.

On good friday, the greater number of our Christians
kissed and venerated the Cross. The more fervent carried
to their homes each a small Cross that I had blessed to give
to them, that it might serve As an image before which
they could offer their prayers.

" / had no trouble in introducing among them the fasts
of the church, since it is so usual a Thing for them to
Fast that whoever among them does not fast from time to
time is looked upon as a wicked man. So I deemed it a
duty to sanctify their very superstitions, and to make of a
Guilty fast a meritorious one. I have taught them to fast
in lent, and have warned them that it was not for the
purpose of seeing some paltry spirit, but for mortifying
the Flesh and doing penance for the sins that they com
mitted Against the divine majesty.

" A II our Christians have a great affection for their
Beads. When a present is made to them of Anything,
they do not usually keep it but give it away to others. It
is only in regard to the Rosary that they do not observe
this custom. A young man, in the Heat of Play, went

232 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

si afflige" quil en pleura toute la nuit, et il vint le lende-
mains en Confesser coe d une grande faute. Les francois
sont merueilleusement edifies de les voir pendant la messe
reciter leur Chapelet a deux Chceurs, et pratiquer auec
exactitude tous les autres exercices de piete .

Dieu ma faict connoistre par experience cette anne"e
quilfaict misericorde a qui il luyplaict, et non pas aceux
a qui souuent les ho es . voudroient bien quil V a fit. II a
permis souuent que mes trauaux fussent vtiles a ceux a qui
ie ne songeois pas et qu Us fussent inutiles a Ceux po 9 [qui~\
le salut des quels ie les entreprenois. au mois de Januier
J allay vers le petit lac de s*. francois a deux lieues d icy,
J y trouuay vn sauuage Chrestien moribond que ie disposay
a la mort, J } auois dessein d 1 aller en vn endroit ou i apris
depuis quun Jeune francois estoit a V extremite"; mats la
nouuelle qu on m aporta que les outagamis estoient reuenus
de leur chasse, et qu il y auoit bien des malades parmy eux
me fit retourner sur mes pas; cependent le Jeunne franco is
mourut sans Confession dans vne Cabanne sauuage, II
auoit passe quatre mois auparauant deuant nostre Eglise;
ie V auois sollicite" a se confesser, il n auoit pas voulu me
Croire, et Dieu en suite ne voulut pas luy faire retourner
V occasion quil auoit negligee. Estant arriud aux outa
gamis ie trouuay vn pauure sauuage qui languissoit depuis
long temps, et que ie disposay a la mort par le Baptesme.
Dans le mesme endroit quoy que J entrasse tous les Jours
dans les Cabannes vn enfant mourut sans baptesme. parce
qu il mourut subitement vne heure apres que ie fus sorty
de la Cabane ou il estoit, ce sont les plus grandes croix
dont Dieu afflige vn pauure missionnaire, mats il le Console
quand il luy plait, peii de temps apres ce\s\t accident
\_fut arriue"\ des sauuages arriuerent de nouueau, ie
baptisay vn de leurs enfans qui ne faisoit que de naistre et

1673-77] RELA TION OF 1675

so far as to stake his Beads, and lost them. He was so
afflicted over it that he wept all night, and came the next
day to Confess it, as a great fault. The french are
wonderfully edified at seeing them, during mass, recite
their Beads in alternate Choirs, and practice with exactness
all other exercises of piety.

1 God has taught me by experience, this year, that he
has mercy on whomsoever it pleases him, and not on those
to whom oftentimes men would much wish that he should
extend it. He has many times permitted my labors to be
of use to those of whom I was not thinking, and to prove
useless to Those for [whom] whose salvation I had under
taken them. In the month of January, I was going toward
the little lake of st. francois, two leagues from here. There
I found a Christian savage dying, and prepared him for
death. I had intended going to a place in vvhich I after
ward learned that a Young frenchman was at the point of
death. But the news that was brought me, that the
outagamis had returned from their hunting and that many
of them were sick, made me retrace my steps. Meanwhile,
the Young frenchman died in the Cabin of a savage,
without Confession. Four months previously, lie had
passed by our Church; I had entreated him to come to
confession, but he paid no Heed to me; and God, in conse
quence, did not choose that he should find again the
opportunity which he had neglected. When I arrived at
the outagamis, I found a poor savage who had languished*
for a long time, and whom I prepared by Baptism for
death. In the same place, although I went every Day into
the Cabins, a child died without baptism dying suddenly r ,
an hour after my leaving the Cabin in which it dwelt.
These are the very heavy crosses with which God afflicts
a poor missionary; but he Consoles him when it pleases him.
A short time after this accident \}iad happened^, some

234 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

qui mourut vn Jour apres son baptesme. auant que de
quiter les outagamis le s l . Esprit me fit apart fr a nostre
chape lie deux enfans qui estoient fort ntalades que ie
baptisay, Us moururent peu de temps apres mon despart.
apres que J eus acheue" la mission des outagamis, J apris
que le Capitaine miami qui auoit este" mon hoste estoit a
V extremite" ie luy auois difere" Jusq 9 a lors le baptesme,
parce que quoy quil y parut asse"s dispose" il ne pouuoit en
qua lite de Capitaine sempecher de s engager par bien seance
aux superstitions des Jeunnes gens. J allay ches luy mais
il ny estoit pas, et lors qu il y venoit po 9 me trouuer et
estre baptise" il mourut en chemin sans baptesme; Dieu me
refusa celuy la po 9 lequel J aurois faict le voyage, mais
ma peine ne fut pas inutile, Car en la place de ce Capitaine
II macorda deux autres personnes que ie baptisay auant
.leur mort.

Le P. Jacques Marquette a commence" une quatri-
eme Mission, qui est celle des Illinois. Ce sont les
premiers peuples qu il a rencontre s dans le voyage
qu il fit 1 an passe", pour la de"couverte de la mer du
Sud. Ce Pere est alle", le printemps dernier, jeter
les fondements de cette Mission; c est k son retour
qu il a glorieusement fini sa vie au milieu de ses
travaux, sur les bords memes du lac des Illinois.
Nous donnons ici le narre" de sa mort et des circon-
stances remarquables qui 1 ont accompagne"e.

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 235

savages again arrived; I baptized one of their children,
only just born, and it died on the Day after its baptism.
Before leaving the outagamis, the holy Ghost led me to bring
to our chapel two children who were very sick; I baptized
them and they died a short time after my departure.
After I had finished the mission to the outagamis, I
learned that the miami Captain who had once been my
host was dying. I had Until then deferred his baptism,
because, although he seemed sufficiently well disposed, he
could not, on account of his rank as Captain, through
courtesy, refrain from involving himself in the supersti
tions of the Young men. I went to his house, but he was
not there; and, while he was coming to seek me to be
baptized, he died on the way without baptism. God
refused me that one for whom I made the journey, but my
trouble was not unprofitable; For, in place of this Captain,
He granted me two other persons, whom I baptized before
their deaths.

Father Jacques Marquette has begun a fourth
Mission, that of the Illinois. These are the first
tribes that he met on the journey which he made last
year to discover the Southern sea. The Father went,
last spring, to lay the foundations of that Mission ;
and on his return he gloriously ended his life in the
midst of his labors, on the very shores of the lake of
the Illinois. We give here an account of his death,
and of the remarkable circumstances that accom
panied it. 48

236 LES RELATIONS DES jS UITES [VOL. 59-

Missions des Iroquois.

LES Iroquois font cinq nations diffe"rentes, et sont
scare s en huit bourgades plus considerables,
en chacune desquelles nous avons une chapelle
ou s assemblent tous les jours les nouveaux chre tiens
pour y faire leurs prieres et y recevoir les instruc
tions que les missionnaires leur donnent chaque jour
aux heures regimes. Le P. Bruyas, qui est le supe"-
rieur de tous, a gagn6 a Je"sus-Christ grand nombre
des principaux d Agnie, qui est le bourg de la nation
la plus voisine des Hollandais. Voici en peu de
mots ce qu il en mande par ses dernieres lettres.

MISSION D AGNI.

/"">ETTE anne"e pourrait fournir une assez ample ma-
\^t tiere de relations, tant par le nombre de ceux
qui ont re9U le bapteme, qui monte jusqu a quatre-
vingts, que par la ferveur des nouveaux chre tiens.
Je ne touche que ce qu a fait un nomme* Assendasse",
qui passe sans contredit pour un des plus conside
rables de la nation. Apres que je 1 eus baptise", il
voulut que toute sa famille resut le bapteme comme
lui. Les maladies et la mort s etant jet^es ensuite
dans sa maison, il a souffert constamment tous les
reproches que ses parents lui en ont fait, comme s il
cut attire" sur lui tous ces malheurs par son bapteme.
On en est venu jusque-la, qu on lui a pens donner
la gloire d etre le premier martyr des Iroquois.
Un de ses proches, ne pouvant souffrir qu il fut

1 673 -77] RELA TION OF 1675 2 s7

The Iroquois Missions.

THE Iroquois consist of five different nations, and
are divided among eight villages of greater
importance, in each of which we have a chapel
wherein the new Christians meet every day to say
their prayers, and to hear the instructions given
them daily by the missionaries at stated hours.
Father Bruyas, who is the superior of all, has won
to Jesus Christ a great many of the chief personages
of Agnie", the village of the nation nearest to the
Dutch. Here in a few words is the information
given by him in his last letters.

MISSION OF AGNIE.

* < ""Pms year might supply sufficiently ample mate-
1 rial for relations, both through the number
of those who have been baptized, amounting to
eighty, and through the fervor of the new Chris
tians. I refer merely to what has been done by one
Assendasse, who is regarded beyond contradiction, as
being one of the most notable of his nation. After
I had baptized him, he desired that all his family
should receive baptism, as he had done. Afterward,
when sickness and death attacked his household, he
endured with constancy all the reproaches addressed
to him by his kindred for that act, as if he had
drawn down all these misfortunes upon himself by
his baptism. Things came to such a pass that they
almost afforded him the glory of being the first
martyr among the Iroquois.

238 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [Vot. 59-

chre"tien, s e"tant a dessein & demi enivre", se jeta sur
lui, lui arracha le chapelet et le crucifix qu il portait
pendus au col, et le menace de le tuer, s il ne veut
renoncer a tout cela. Tue-moi, dit-il, je serai heu-
reux de mourir pour un si bon sujet. Je ne regrette
pas ma vie en la donnant pour preuve de ma foi.

Comme il a du credit dans ce bourg, son exemple
a attir6 a la Foi un nombre tres-considerable de ses
compatriotes. II y a eu peu de dimanches cet hiver
que je n aie baptist quelque enfant ou quelque
adulte. Si je racontais tout ce qui se passe ici pour
le progres du Christianisme, ceux qui 1 entendraient
auraient sujet de louer Dieu, qui commence k etre
glorifi6 parmi ces infideles.

Pour moi, j attribue ces conversions la bonte de
la Tres-Sainte-Vierge, dont on nous a envoy6 une
image miraculeuse de Notre-Dame de Foye. Je puis
dire que, depuis que nous possedons ce precieux
de"pot, I ^glise d Agni a chang6 entierement de face.
Les anciens chr6tiens ont repris leur premiere f erveur,
et le nombre des nouveaux va s augmentant de jour
en jour. Nous exposames cette pre"cieuse statue le
jour de rimmacule e Conception de la Bienheureuse
Vierge avec toute la pompe possible. Ce fut en
chantant les litanies en langue iroquoise. Nous la
de"couvrons seulement le samedi au soir, par le chant
des memes litanies ; et tout le dimanche elle demeure
exposed aux yeux de nos chre tiens, qui s assemblent
ce jour-la trois fois, pour reciter le chapelet devant
leur bonne Mere et protectrice. Les infideles me
disent que, depuis que I image de Marie est dans leur
bourg, ils ne craignent plus rien ; et de fait, ils ont
reu des effets bien visibles de sa protection.

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 289-

i <

One of his relatives, who could not endure that
he should be a Christian, having purposely become
half intoxicated, threw himself upon him; he
snatched away the rosary and the crucifix that Assen-
dass wore suspended from his neck, and threatened
to kill him if he would not renounce all those things.
Kill me, he said, I shall be happy to die for so
good a cause. I feel no regret in giving my life in
testimony of my faith.

"As he is esteemed in the village, his example
has attracted a very considerable number of his
countrymen to the Faith. There have been but few
Sundays this winter whereon I have not baptized
a child or an adult. Were I to relate all that
occurs here for the furtherance of Christianity,
those who would hear it would have reason to praise
God, who is beginning to be glorified among these
infidels.

" For my part, I attribute these conversions to the
goodness of the Most Blessed Virgin, a miraculous
image of whom, as Our Lady of Foye, has been sent
us. I can state that, since we have possessed that
precious deposit, the church of Agni6 has completely
changed its appearance. The older Christians have
resumed their former fervor, and the number of new
ones increases daily. We displayed this precious
statue, with all possible pomp, on the feast of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, while
the litanies were chanted in the Iroquois tongue.
We uncovered it only on Saturday evening during
the chanting of the same litanies; and throughout
the whole of Sunday it remained exposed to the eyes
of our Christians, who met three times [that day for
the purpose of reciting the rosary before their good

240 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [ VOL. 59

Le P. Jacques de Lamberville, qui prend som de la
Mission de Saint-Pierre k Gandaouague, seconde
bourgade du pays d Agni6, a la consolation d envoyer
au ciel beaucoup de petits enfants, morts apres le
bapteme. Cette Eglise, quoique la plus petite que
nous ayons dans ces Missions, ne le cede & aucune
en ferveur.

Le Pere espere de 1 augmenter en peu de temps
d un nombre tres-considerable. Les anciens viennent
eux-memes & la priere, et y exhortent la jeunesse.
Enfin, si 1 eau-de-vie etait bannie de ces quartiers,
1 on verrait bientot tout ce bourg devenir chre"tien.

MISSION D ONNEIOUT.

LA seconde nation est celle des Onneiouts qui ont
tou jours passe pour les plus cruels de ces
T>arbares, et qui sont a present si changes par les
soins du P. Millet, qu on peut dire que de loups ils
sont devenus agneaux.

Plusieurs capitaines et beaucoup d anciens ont em-
brass^ la foi cette annee. Un, entre autres, des plus
notables a 6t6 baptise publiquement avec sa femme,
et marie en face de 1 Eglise. II a ensuite reju la
sainte Communion, et est devenu cat6chiste et pre-
dicateur. Pendant la chasse d hiver, sa cabane e*tait
une chapelle dans les bois, ou il faisait les prieres le
matin et le soir, en bannissant toutes les supersti
tions, et repandant partout une si bonne odeur, qu il
faisait vivre en Chretiens les infideles meme qui chas-
saient pres de lui. A son retour de la chasse, pour
eViter les occasions de 1 ivrognerie, qui sont fre-
quentes en ce temps-Ik dans le bourg, il s est eloigne

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 241

Mother and protectress. The infidels tell me that,
since Mary s image is in their village, they fear
nothing; and, in fact, they have received very
evident marks of her protection."

Father Jacques de Lamberville who has charge of
the Mission of Saint Pierre at Gandaouague", the sec
ond village of the Agnie" country, has had the con
solation of sending to heaven many little children,
who died after baptism. This Church, although the
smallest of all in these Missions, is behind none of
them in fervor.

The Father hopes shortly to increase it by a very
considerable number of persons. The elders them
selves come to prayers and exhort the young men to
do the same. Finally, if brandy were banished from
this quarter, we would soon see the whole of that
village become Christian.

T

MISSION OF ONNEIOUT.

HE second nation is that of the Onneiouts, who
have always been considered the most cruel of
these barbarians; but they are now so changed
through Father Millet s care that it may be said that
from wolves they have become lambs.

Several captains and many elders have embraced
the faith this year. Among others, one of the most
notable men was publicly baptized with his wife, and
married before the Church. He afterward received
holy Communion, and became a catechist and
preacher. During the winter hunt, his cabin was a
chapel in the woods, wherein he said prayers morn
ing and evening, banishing all superstitions from it.
And so fragrant was the odor of his virtues that he
made even the infidels who hunted near him live like

242 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59<

de deux lieues, s e"tant fait une cabane se pare e, d ou
il ne manque point de venir tous les samedis pour
assister, le lendemain, au service divin.

II y a plusieurs autres des principaux de ce bourg
qui sont anime s de la meme ferveur; ce qui a
donne" occasion au missionnaire d e"tablir parmi eux
la Sainte-Famille, pour conserver et accroitre ce
premier esprit du Christianisme et ce zele du salut
des ames.

MISSION D ONNONTAGUE.

LE P. Jean de Lamberville est a Onnontague"; c est
le bourg de la troisieme nation, ou Garakontie
donne tou jours des marques de sa fermet dans la
foi, et de I amiti6 qu il a pour les Francais.

Le Pere s est acquis un grand credit par 1 usage
qu il sait faire de plusieurs remedes, ce qui lui donne
entree dans toutes les cabanes, et acces aupres de
tous les malades, de sorte qu il lui en e"chappe peu
qu il ne baptise avant qu ils meurent. Outre 1 emploi
qu il a dans Onnontagu6, il est oblige" de faire de
temps en temps des courses aux environs. A la
derniere qu il fit jusqu a dix lieues du bourg, il
arriva heureusement pour baptiser un agonisant, qui
mourut bientot apres. Puis, ayant passe" une riviere,
il trouva plusieurs Chretiens malades, qu il confessa;
puis, y joignant la saignee, il arriva que, par le
moyen de la me decine temporelle et de la spirituelle,
Dieu leur rendit la sante\ II baptisa encore en ce
meme endroit un homme et une femme, qui e"taient
tres-bien disposes. II lui fallut en meme temps tra-
vailler a pr6parer au sacrement une autre femme qui
avait de grandes aversions des Franjais et de la Foi,

1673-77] RELATION OF ifyjs 243

Christians. Upon his return from hunting, in order
to avoid occasions for drunkenness, which are fre
quent at that time in the village, he removed to a
distance of two leagues, and erected a separate cabin,
whence he fails not to come, every Saturday, to
attend divine service on the following day.

Several others among the notable men of this
village are animated with the same fervor; this has
given the missionary an opportunity for establishing
the confraternity of the Holy Family among them,
to preserve and increase this first spirit of Christian
ity, and this zeal for the salvation of souls.

MISSION OF ONNONTAGUE.

FATHER Jean de Lamberville is at Onnontague;
this is the village of the third nation, where
Garakontie continues to give evidence of his firmness
in the faith, and of his friendship for the French.

The Father has acquired great influence by his
skill in using various remedies. This gives him
entrance to all the cabins and access to all the sick,
so that few escape who are not baptized before they
die. In addition to his occupation in Onnontague,
he is compelled from time to time to make excur
sions in the vicinity. On the last one that he made,
ten leagues from the village, he fortunately arrived
in time to baptize a dying man, who expired shortly
afterward. Then, after crossing a river, he found
several sick Christians, whom he confessed ; he then
bled them, and it came to pass that, by means of the
spiritual and temporal remedies, God restored them
to health. He also baptized, at the same place, a
man and a woman who were very well disposed. At
the same time, he had to endeavor to prepare for that

244 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

il y r6ussit si bien qu elle me rita de recevoir le bap-
teme avant que de mourir. A peine avait-il acheve\
qu il lui fallut promptement repasser la riviere pour
saigner un jongleur malade ; mais ne le trouvant pas
digne du bapteme, le Pere se mit incontinent en
route pour aller, a deux lieues de Ik, le confe"rer a
une femme et a un enfant qui rejurent en meme
temps la saute", apres les remedes qu il leur donna.
Voilk comme un missionnaire doit etre tout k tous,
ne laissant e"chapper aucune occasion pour gagner les
ames k Jesus-Christ. C est ce que le Pere fait et au
dedans et au dehors d Onnontague. Aussi a-t-il
augment^ cette anne"e son e"glise de soixante-douze
Chretiens, parmi lesquels quarante sont morts apres
le bapteme, ainsi que plusieurs adultes, entre autres
quelques captifs d Andastogue, qu il a baptises au
milieu des feux dans lesquels ils sont morts.

MISSION D OIOGOUIN.

LE P. de Carheil n est pas si heureux parmi la
quatrieme nation, qui est celle des Oiogouins;
ils sont devenus si superbes et si insolents, qu ils
1 ont assez rudement maltrait6 quand ils e"taient k
l 6tat d ivrognerie, ils ont meme renvers6 une partie
de la chapelle ; mais ces rebuts ne lui font pas perdre
courage, et en recompense Dieu lui a donn6 la con
solation d avoir mis cette anne"e vingt et un enfants
dans le ciel et probablement onze adultes, morts
apres le bapteme; ce n a pas 6t6 sans livrer bien des
combats.

Voici comme il ddcrit la peine qu il a eue pour
baptiser une jeune femme, d ou Ton jugera des
.autres. Elle ne s est rendue, dit-il, qu k 1 extre mite ,

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 245.

sacrament a woman who had a great aversion to the
French and to the Faith. He succeeded so well that
she was worthy of receiving baptism before she
died. He had barely finished when he was obliged
promptly to recross the river, to bleed a sick juggler ;
but, as he did not deem him worthy of baptism r
the Father set out at once to go two leagues from
there, and administer it to a woman and a child, who
at the same time were restored to health through the
medicines which he gave them.

Thus a missionary must be all things to all men,,
allowing no opportunity to escape him for winning,
souls to Jesus Christ. This is what the Father does
both in and out of Onnontague. Consequently he
has this year increased his church by seventy-two
Christians, forty of whom died after baptism, as well
as many adults; among these were some captives
from Andastogue, whom he baptized amid the fires
in which they died.

MISSION OF OIOGOUIN.

FATHER de Carheil is not so fortunate in the midst
of the fourth nation, that of the Oiogouins;
they became so arrogant and insolent that they quite
roughly ill-treated him when they were intoxicated,
and they even tore down a portion of his chapel.
But these repulses have not made him lose courage ;
and, as a reward, God has given him the consolation
of having this year placed twenty-one children in
heaven, and probably eleven adults also, who died
after baptism ; but this was not done without many
struggles.

He describes as follows the trouble that he had in
baptizing a young woman, and from this everything

246 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

et je ne 1 ai ga.gn.6e que par la patience, par la dou
ceur et par la Constance & espe*rer d elle ce que tous
les rebuts que j en souffrais avaient pense" plusieurs
fois me faire de sespe rer. Elle permettait facilement
que je la visitasse, apres quelques remedes que je
lui avals donn6s. Elle me laissait parler de toutes
autres choses que de la principale, qui e"tait le salut
de son ame. Sitot que j ouvrais la bouche pour lui en
insinuer quelques mots, elle entrait dans des empor-
tements qui e"taient surprenants, et que je n avais
jamais remarque s dans aucun Sauvage. J e"tais
contraint de me retirer au meme instant, de peur de
1 irriter encore davantage, et de la porter k un endur-
cissement sans remede. Comme sa maladie n etait
qu une langueur cause"e par les vers qui la rongeaient
insensiblement, deux mois se passerent sans que je
discontinuasse de la visiter tous les jours, et sans
qu elle cessat de me rebuter de la meme maniere, et
meme avec des redoublements de colere, qui m obli-
gerent enfin de me presenter seulement devant elle
sans lui dire mot. Je tachais toutefois de lui dire des
yeux et d un visage plein de compassion ce que je
n osais plus lui dire de bouche. Et comme un jour
je me fus aperu qu elle paraissait touch e"e exte"rieure-
ment de quelques petits services que je lui rendais
en lui faisant du feu, dans 1 abandon ou je la voyais,
personne n ayant plus soin d elle, je cms qu elle
souffrirait que je lui parlasse de ce que je de"sirais
uniquement pour elle, et qu elle avait toujours re
pousse" avec horreur. En effet, elle me laissa appro-
cher, et m ecouta assez longtemps, sans entrer dans
ses emportements ordinaires ; mais pourtant avec des
agitations de corps qui marquaient celles de son

1673-77] RELATION OF i6js 247

else may be judged. " She yielded," he says, " only
at the last moment; and I won her solely by patience,
by gentleness, and by constancy in hoping to obtain
from her what all the repulses that I experienced
had almost made me, several times, despair of ever
obtaining. She was quite willing that I should visit
her, after I had given her some medicine. She
allowed me to speak of all things except the principal
one, which was the salvation of her soul. As soon
as I opened my mouth to say a few words about it,
she would fly into fits of anger which were astonish
ing, and which I had never observed in any Savage.
At the same time, I was compelled to withdraw to
avoid irritating her still further, lest I should pro
duce in her a hardness of heart beyond remedy. As
her illness was only a prostration caused by the
worms that gradually ate her away, two months
passed without my discontinuing my daily visits to
her, and without her ceasing to repel me in the same
manner and, finally with such increased paroxysms
of anger that I was at last compelled to present my
self before her without saying a word. I endeavored,
however, to express by my eyes, and a countenance
full of compassion, what I no longer dared to say
with my lips. And one day, when I noticed that
she seemed outwardly touched by some slight serv
ices that I rendered her, by making a fire for her,
when I saw her so abandoned because no one took
any care of her, I thought that she would suffer me
to speak to her of my sole desire on her behalf,
which she had always repelled with horror. In fact,
she allowed me to approach her, and listened to me
for some time without becoming angry as usual,

248 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

esprit combattu des diffe rents mouvements de la grace
et de la nature. Je commei^ais de concevoir quel
que pen d espe" ranee, lorsque se tournant en furie
vers moi, elle me prit au visage, avec tout 1 effort
dont elle e"tait capable, et assure ment elle m eut
peut-etre grievement bless6 si ses forces eussent
e"gal6 sa fureur; mais elle 6tait si faible qu elle ne
me pouvait faire le mal qu elle voulait. Sa faiblesse
fut cause que, lui abandonnant mon visage, je con-
tinuai mon instruction en lui disant que 1 inte ret que
je portais a son atne m obligeait, quoi qu elle fit, de
ne pas la quitter. Je fus cependant contraint de la
laisser encore cette fois, meme dans la pense"e de n y
plus retourner. Je ne laissai pas d y retourner le
lendemain matin, plutot pour voir si elle e"tait morte
que pour lui parler. Je la trouvai k I extr^mite, mais
elle n avait pas encore perdu 1 esprit. H quoi!
lui dis-je, tu n as plus qu un moment de vie, pour-
quoi veux-tu te perdre pour tou jours, puisque tu
peux encore te sauver?

Ce peu de paroles amollit son cceur, que tant
d autres n avaient pu e"branler. Elle se pencha vers
moi, elle fit la priere que je lui sugge rais, te moigna
de la douleur de ses peche s passes, demanda le bap-
teme pour les effacer, et elle le re9Ut pour etre con-
firm^e dans la grace par la mort qui suivit peu de
temps apres.

J ai appris, par 1 exemple de cette malade, que je
ne dois jamais abandonner personne, quelque r6sis-
tance qu elle puisse apporter pendant qu elle aura
quelque reste de vie et de raison ; mon espe"rance et
mon travail ne devant avoir de terme que 1 ou Dieu
en met sa mise ricorde.

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 249-

but, nevertheless, with bodily agitation which be
trayed the workings of her mind, torn by the conflict
ing efforts of grace and of nature. I began to have
some slight hopes when, turning toward me in a
fury, she seized my face with all her might. She
would certainly have injured me seriously, had her
strength been equal to her fury ; but she was so weak
that she could not hurt me as she desired. On
account of her weakness, I allowed her to retain her
hold of my face, and I continued my instruction^
telling her that the interest I took in her soul com
pelled me not to quit her, whatever she might do.
I was, however, obliged to leave her that time, even
with the idea of not returning. I nevertheless went
back on the following morning, more for the
purpose of seeing whether she were dead than of
speaking to her. I found her at the point of
death, but she had not yet lost consciousness.
1 What! I said to her; thou hast but a moment
to live; why wilt thou be lost forever, when thou
canst yet be saved ?

These few words softened her heart, which so-
many others had been unable to touch. She leaned
toward me ; she said the prayer that I prompted to
her; she manifested sorrow for her past sins; she
asked for baptism, to wash them away; and she
received it only to be confirmed in grace by her
death, which followed shortly afterward.

1 I learned from the example of this sick woman
that we should never give up any person, whatever
may be his resistance, so long as any life or reason
remains ; my hope and my labor shall have no other
limit than that set by God s mercy."

250 LES RELATIONS DES jS UITES [VOL. 59

MISSION CHEZ LES IROQUOIS QU ON APPELLE SON-

NONTOUANS.

LES PP. Pierron, Raffeix et Gamier, qui travail-
lent dans trois bourgades diffe"rentes, sont pour
ainsi dire obliges de porter ton jours leurs ames entre
leurs mains, car ils sont presque habituellement en
danger d etre massacre s par ces barbares.

Depuis, en effet, que les Sonnontouans ont entiere-
ment defait les Andastogues, qui etaient leurs anciens
et plus redoutables ennemis, leur insolence ne con-
nait plus de bornes ; ils ne parlent que de renouveler
la guerre contre nos allies et meme centre les Fran-
cais, et de commencer par la destruction du fort de
Catarokoui. II n y a pas longtemps qu ils avaient
resolu de casser la tete au P. Gamier, le faisant
passer pour sorcier.

Celui qui devait faire le coup etait non-seulement
de"signe, mais aussi paye pour cela; et nous n aurions
plus ce missionnaire, si Dieu ne 1 eut conserve" par
une providence bien singuliere.

Toutes ces insolences n empechent pas les Peres
de faire leurs fonctions tete leve*e, d instruire dans
les cabanes et dans leurs chapelles, ou ils ont baptise"
plus de cent personnes depuis un an ; et ils trouvent
que cinquante, tant enfants qu adultes, meurent
chaque annee, apres le bapteme.

Cependant, si ces barbares prennent les armes
contre nous, comme ils nous en menacent, nos Mis
sions sont en grand danger d etre ou ruinees ou du
moins interrompues pendant que cette guerre durera.

1673-77] RELATION OF itr/s 251

MISSION AMONG THE IROQUOIS CALLED SONNON-

TOUANS.

FATHERS Pierron, Raffeix, and Gamier, who labor
in three different villages, are compelled, as it
were, ever to bear their lives in their hands; for
they are in almost continual danger of being
murdered by those barbarians.

In fact, since the Sonnontouans have utterly
defeated the Andastogu6s, their ancient and most
redoubtable foes, their insolence knows no bounds ;
they talk of nothing but renewing the war against
our allies, and even against the French, and of
beginning by the destruction of fort Catarokoui.
Not long ago, they had resolved to break Father
Garnier s head, by making him pass for a sorcerer.

He who was to strike the blow was not only desig
nated, but was also paid for it; and we would no
longer have had that missionary, had not God
preserved him by a very special providence.

All these insolent acts do not prevent the Fathers
from performing their duties with heads erect; or
from teaching in the cabins and in their chapels,
wherein they have baptized over one hundred persons
within a year; and they find that fifty, both children
and adults, die each year after baptism.

Nevertheless, if those barbarians take up arms
against us, as they threaten to do, our Missions are
in great danger of being either ruined or at least
interrupted while the war lasts.

252 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59-

Missions du Nord, chez les Montagnais, Mis-

tassins, Papinachois, au Lac

Saint Jean, etc.

NOUS ne pouvons rien dire de la Mission de la
baie d Hudson. Le P. Albanel est parti pour
ce pays, il y a plus de deux ans, sans que nous
ayons reu de lui aucune lettre depuis son depart. Les
Sauvages de ces quartiers-lk en parlent diversement.
Les uns nous assurent qu il est mort, et qu il est
probable qu il aura 6t6 tue; les autres pre"tendent
qu e"tant tombe" entre les mains des Anglais, ils lui
ont fait repasser la mer.

Ce que nous avons su de certain, c est qu il a eu
assez de travaux et de miseres k endurer pour y user
le peu de forces qui lui restaient et pour y laisser
glorieusement la vie.

Les Missions de Tadoussac, du lac Saint- Jean, des
Mistassins et des Papinachois ont occupe" le P. de
Crepieul pendant plus d un an, sans discontinuer une
vie errante dans les bois avec les Sauvages, avec
mille sortes d incomrnodites, soit pendant 1 hiver, soit
pendant l e"te. Ces travaux et ces souffrances, qui ne
lui donnaient pas de relache, 1 ont mis en tel etat
qu il a 6t6 necessaire de lui faire prendre du repos,
apres quatre rudes hivernements. En attendant, le
P. Boucher est alle" prendre sa place.

On peut dire que ces chretiente s vagabondes
vivent dans une grande innocence lorsqu elles sont

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 253

Missions in the North, among the Montagnais,

Mistassins, Papinachois, at Lake Saint

John, and elsewhere.

WE cannot say anything about the Mission of
Hudson bay. Father Albanel set out for
that country over two years ago, and we
have received no letter from him since his departure.
The Savages of that quarter do not agree in their
reports about him. Some assert that he is dead, and
has probably been killed ; others state that he has
fallen into the hands of the English, who have sent
him across the sea.

What we have positively learned is that he has
had to endure enough labors and hardships to wear
out the little strength remaining to him, and to
gloriously end his life there.

The Missions of Tadoussac and lake Saint John, and
among the Mistassins and Papinachois, have kept
Father de Cre"pieul occupied for over a year, without
discontinuing his wandering life in the woods with
the Savages, among a thousand discomforts, both in
summer and in winter. These labors and suffer
ings, which gave him no respite, have reduced him
to such a condition that it has become necessary to
make him take some rest after four arduous winter
ings. Meanwhile, Father Boucher has gone to take
his place. 49

I may say that these wandering Christian com
munities live very innocently while in the woods.

264 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

dans les bois. Elles se sont augmentees depuis un
an, non-seulement par le bapteme de cinquante-cinq
personnes, mais encore par le credit que leur ont
donne plusieurs chefs de quelques nouvelles nations,
entre autres des Mistassins qui, nonobstant les mala
dies dont Dieu les a affliges depuis leur bapteme,
sont demeures fermes dans la foi, et en ont fait
profession publique, mourant tres-bons Chretiens.

Ces Sauvages ont une veneration particuliere pour
les sacrements, et un si grand desir de les recevoir,
que plusieurs sont venus expres trouver le Pere de
dix a vingt lieues de loin, uniquement pour se con-
fesser. Un, entre autres, a bien eu le courage d en-
treprendre, pour ce sujet, un grand voyage, ayant
fait seul en canot quarante lieues, parmi bien des
dangers et avec beaucoup de fatigues, mais aussi
avec tant de joie, qu il ne pouvait assez le faire
paraitre en toutes rencontres ; un autre n eut pas moins
de peine ni moins de consolations, quand, ayant
traine sur les neiges son fils malade, pendant 1 espace
de vingt-cinq lieues dans des chemins tres-difficiles,
il le vit heureusement mourir entre les bras du Pere,
sitot qu il lui cut administre les sacrements.

1 673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 255

They have been increased during the year, not only
by the baptism of fifty-five persons, but also by the
influence given to them by several chiefs, from some
new nations. Among others are some from the
Mistassins, who, notwithstanding the diseases where
with God has afflicted them since their baptism, have
remained steadfast in the faith, have made a public
profession of it, and have died very good Christians.
These Savages have a special veneration for the
sacraments, and so great a desire to receive them
that many have come expressly to the Father from
distances of ten and twenty leagues, solely to confess
themselves. One, among others, was brave enough,
with that object, to undertake alone a long journey
of forty leagues in a canoe, amid many dangers and
fatigues, but also with such joy that he could not
sufficiently manifest it on all occasions. Another
had no less trouble, and no less consolation when,
after hauling his sick son over the snow for a distance
of twenty-five leagues in very bad roads, he saw him
die happily in the arms of the Father, as soon as the
latter had administered the sacraments to him.

256 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

Mission des Iroquois de S.-Frangois-Xavier a
la prairie de la Magdeleine pendant
1 annee

LES exemples de vertu que donne aux Francais
cette Eglise sont si e"clatants et si connus, qu il
n est pas necessaire d en parler, puisqu il n y a
personne de ceux qui les voient qui n admire les
effets de la grace en la personne de ces pauvres Sau-
vages. Et, en effet, ces bons Chretiens, qui habitent
la prairie de la Magdeleine, sont au milieu des feux
ans bruler; je veux dire qu ils sont environnes de
toutes parts d ivrogneries tres-scandaleuses, aux-
quelles ils sont fortement sollicites, mais il se sont
fait jusqu a present distinguer a Montreal et partout
ailleurs, et Ton n a point d autres marques pour les
faire reconnaitre, qu en disant que ce sont ceux qui
ne boivent point et qui prient bien Dieu. On pourra
juger plus particulierement de la vertu de ces fer-
vents neophytes par le recit de la mort d un jeune
Iroquois, qui s est endormi il y a peu de mois du
sommeil des justes. Ce jeune homme, nomme Skan-
degorhaksen, etait Agnie de nation, age d environ
vingt ans, fort bien fait de corps, et d une humeur
tres-douce, et qui semblait etre ne pour la vertu et
pour la saintete".

Des qu il eut mis le pied a la prairie de la Magde
leine, il embrassa toutes les choses de la Foi et du
culte divin avec tant de ferveur, qu il se fit inconti-

1673-77] RELA TION OF 1673 257

Iroquois Mission of St. Francois Xavier, at la
prairie de la Magdeleine, dur
ing the year 167^.

THE examples of virtue given to the French by
this Church are so striking and so well known
that it is unnecessary to speak of them, for
there is no one who witnesses them who does not
admire the effects of grace in the persons of these
poor Savages. And, in fact, these good Christians
who dwell at la prairie de la Magdeleine are in the
midst of fire without being burned: I mean, that
they are surrounded on all sides by the most scan
dalous drunkenness, to indulge in which they are
earnestly solicited; but hitherto they have made
themselves remarked at Montreal and everywhere
else, and there is no other way of distinguishing
them than by saying that they are the people who
do not drink, and who pray to God aright. The
virtue of these fervent neophytes may be better
judged by an account of the death of a young Iro
quois, who, for a few months, has slept the sleep
of the just. This young man, whose name was
Skandegorhaksen, was an Agni6 by birth, and about
twenty years old ; he had a well-formed body and a
very gentle nature, and seemed born solely for virtue
and for sanctity.

As soon as he set foot in la prairie de la Magde
leine, he embraced all matters pertaining to the
Faith and to divine worship, with such fervor that

258 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

nent remarquer parmi tous les autres ; de sorte que
le P. Fremin, qui a soin de cette Mission, en con9Ut
des lors une si bonne opinion, qu au lieu qu il 6prou-
vait les autres Sauvages des deux ou trois ans entiers
avant que de leur confe"rer le saint bapteme, il le
donna a celui-ci apres deux mois seulement d e"preuve.
Des lors ce bon neophyte donna de plus en plus des
marques de sa piete" et de sa ferveur, et quoique ce
soit ici une louable coutume de nos Sauvages chre-
tiens de venir assez souvent pendant le jour pour prier
dans I dglise, Skandegorhaksen surpassait tous les
autres en ces saints exercices, et avait ses temps
regies comme un religieux. II y venait tous les
matins a quatre heures; ensuite il assistait a deux
messes. II retournait a la chapelle sur les dix heures ;
il faisait de meme a une heure apres midi, puis a trois
heures, et encore au soleil couchant, avec tous les
Sauvages, et enfin entre les huit et neuf heures du
soir.

Ce n est point exage ration de dire qu il priait dans
l e*glise comme un ange, tant il etait modeste. A le
voir seulement prendre de 1 eau be"nite en entrant et
en sortant de la chapelle, et faire de profondes incli
nations au Saint- Sacrement, on e"tait touch de deVo-
tion. Des lors les Franais, qui ne savent pas les
noms des Sauvages, le distinguaient des autres en
disant ordinairement que c est ce jeune homme qui
prie Dieu dans la chapelle avec tant de ferveur, et
presque a toutes les heures du jour. II ne faisait
pas paraitre moins de deVotion dans sa cabane. II
y passait le temps a chanter les prieres sur le chant
de 1 ^glise, et a dire tout haut le chapelet, a quoi il

1673-77] RELATION OF 1673 259

he at once made himself remarked among all the
others. Accordingly, Father Fremin, who has
charge of that Mission, then conceived so high an
opinion of him that, while he tried the other Savages
for two or three whole years before administering
holy baptism to them, he administered it to this one
after a trial of only two months. Thenceforward,
that good neophyte gave increasing evidence of his
piety and fervor; and, although it is a praiseworthy
custom among our Christian Savages here to come
quite often during the day to pray in the church,
Skandegorhaksen surpassed all the others in these
holy exercises, and had his stated hours, like a reli
gious. He came every morning at four o clock, and
then heard two masses. He returned to the chapel
about ten o clock; he did the same an hour after
noon, then at three o clock ; and came again at sunset,
with all the Savages ; and, finally, between eight and
nine in the evening.

It is no exaggeration to say that he prayed in the
church like an angel, so modest was he. Merely to
see him take holy water on entering and on leaving
the chapel, and make profound inclinations before
the Blessed Sacrament, inspired one with devotion.
The French, who know not the names of the Savages,
generally distinguished him from the others by say
ing that he was the young man who prayed to God
in the chapel so fervently, and at all hours of the
day. He manifested no less devotion in his cabin.
He spent his whole time in chanting prayers to
the airs of church hymns, and in saying the rosary
aloud ; and he gently urged the other Savages of his
age to do the same, when they came to visit him.

260 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 59

engageait doucement les autres Sauvages de son age,
quand ils le venaient visiter.

Toutes ces choses etaient accompagne es d une
innocence de vie, et d une tendresse de conscience
admirable, et le Pere tient pour certain qu il est mort
avec son innocence baptismale, qu il a conserved ici,
deux ans durant, avec un soin et un courage hero-
i ques. Car pendant tout ce temps, le diable lui a
fait une guerre continuelle par de furieuses tenta-
tions, mais il en est toujours demeure" victorieux,
par la grace de Dieu, & laquelle il a correspondu
de son cote" par sa ferveur ordinaire et par une
merveilleuse crainte d offenser Dieu, et une grande
horreur des moindres pe che s. Aussi se confessait-il
pour cela tous les huit jours, et quelquesfois plus
souvent.

Des qu il arrivait ici de quelque voyage, il venait
droit & la chapelle, et se confessait sur 1 heure, ou
du moins le meme jour. II communiait avec des
sentiments de deVotion et de ferveur, qu il faudrait
avoir vus pour en juger capable un Sauvage de la
nation d Agnie, qui a toujours e"te" estime e une
des plus fieres et des plus eloignees du royaume de
Dieu.

Mais comme la vertu, si elle est vraiment solide,
ne se fait jamais mieux voir que dans les occasions,
et que Ton pourrait peut-etre dire que la ferveur de
cette Mission soutenait celle de Skandegorhaksen ;
voyons-le au milieu des me chants, et au pays d ini-
quite", faire triompher la vertu et la foi de Je*sus-
Christ.

Ce fut dans le pays des Iroquois, ofc il eut le cou
rage d aller expres pour gagner Dieu un jeune

1673 - 77] RELA TION OF 1675 261

All these things were accompanied by an innocent
life and an admirable tenderness of conscience ; and
the Father is certain that he died in his baptismal
innocence, which he preserved here during two
years. This he did with heroic care and courage,
for during all that time the devil waged continual
war against him, by furious temptations; but he
always remained victorious through God s grace, to
which, on his part, he responded with his usual
fervor, with a wonderful fear of offending God and
a great horror of the slightest sins. To that end,
therefore, he confessed himself every week, and
sometimes oftener.

As soon as he returned hither from a journey, he
went directly to the chapel and confessed himself at
once, or at least on the same day. He received
communion with sentiments of devotion and fervor,
which one must witness, before one can judge to
what extent a Savage of the Agnie nation is cap
able of them; for they have ever been considered
the most arrogant, and the most remote from God s
kingdom.

But inasmuch as virtue, if it be truly solid, never
manifests itself except on occasion, and it might
perhaps be said that the fervor of this Mission sus
tained that of Skandegorhaksen, let us observe him
in the midst of the wicked and in the land of iniquity,
causing virtue and the faith of Jesus Christ to
triumph.

This was in the Iroquois country, whither he had
the courage to go expressly to win to God a young
man of his acquaintance. To his great regret, he
found him plunged in every vice ; and this made him
groan in his heart, all the more, because he could

262 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

homme de sa connaissance. II le trouva & son grand
regret plonge" dans les vices, ce qui le faisait ge"mir
dans son coeur, d autant plus qu il n y pouvait pas
apporter remede. II se re"sout done de reparer de
son cote* les fautes de son ami, le mieux qu il put.
Dans ce but, il se mit k faire 1 apotre au milieu de
tous ces infideles. II chantait dans la chapelle les
prieres qu il avait apprises ici. Cette nouveaute" y
attirait tout le monde, et il en prenait alors occasion
de les instruire. II allait hardiment dans les cabanes,
et y prechait les mysteres de notre religion, et meme
il reprenait partout les vices avec une e"tonnante
liberte, et c est ce qui paraitra presque incroyable a
ceux qui connaissent la fagon de faire des Sauvages,
parmi lesquelles les jeunes gens ne parlent jamais
en public, surtout en presence des anciens et des
capitaines.

Apres qu il eut passe quelque temps dans ces exer-
cices au milieu de 1 infidelite, il retourna ici, et nous
reconnumes qu il etait toujours le meme, et qu il
n avait rien perdu de son innocence dans ce pays si
plein d abominations.

C e"tait de"jk un fruit mur pour le ciel. Aussi nous
fut-il ravi quelque temps apres son retour. Car
etant alle" k la chasse, sur le commencement de
1 hiver, dans la resolution ne"anmoins de 1 interrompre
pour venir ce le brer ici la fete de Noel, il ne put
pas contenter sa devotion, et des le premier jour
de de"cembre 1675, il se sentit attaque" du mal qui
1 emporta, le vingt-deuxieme du mois.

Sitot qu il se vit en danger, il protesta qu il ne
craignait point la mort, et qu au contraire, il espe*rait
qu elle lui serait un passage a 1 e ternite bienheureuse,

1673-77] RELA TION OF 1675 263

not apply any remedy. He therefore resolved, for
his own part, to make reparation as well as he could,
for all his friend s faults. To that end he made him
self an apostle in the midst of all these infidels. He
chanted in the chapel the prayers that he had learned
here. This novelty attracted thither all the people;
and he then seized the opportunity to instruct them.
He went boldly into the cabins, and preached therein
the mysteries of our religion ; and he even reproved
vice everywhere, with astonishing freedom. This
will seem almost incredible to those who know the
customs of the Savages, among whom the young
men never speak in public, especially in the presence
of the elders and the captives.

After spending some time in these exercises in
the midst of infidelity, he returned hither; and we
found that he was ever the same, and had lost noth
ing of his innocence in that land so full of abomina
tions.

He was already a fruit ripe for heaven; conse
quently he was taken away from us, some time after
his return. For, having gone to hunt at the begin
ning of winter, with the intention, however, of
interrupting his hunt, to come and celebrate Christ
mas here, he was unable to satisfy his devotion;
and, as early as the first day of December, 1675, he
felt himself attacked by the disease which carried
him off on the twenty-second of the month.

As soon as he saw himself in danger, he protested
that he did not fear death ; and that, on the contrary,
he hoped that it would be for him a passage to a
blessed eternity ; for he ever said to those near him
that he was going to enjoy the sight of God in
paradise.

264 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

disant toujours ceux qui etaient aupres de lui, qu il
allait jouir de la vue de Dieu dans le paradis.

Pendant sa maladie, il n a fait que dire son chape-
let, s exercer dans les actes de douleur de ses peches,
de foi, d esperance et de charite. II ne pensait qu a
Dieu et ne parlait que de Dieu ; et, ce qui est mer-
veilleux, c est que, tombant fort souvent dans le
delire, pendant tout ce temps, il ne disait autre chose
que son chapelet, et tous ses delices etaient de reciter
YAve Maria, et d y meler quelques-uns des actes de
vertus, marque infaillible de 1 habitude qu il en avait
contracted. II n a temoigne qu un seul regret dans
sa maladie, c etait de ne pas voir son bon Pere (ainsi
appelait-il le P. Fre min), et de ne pas mourir entre
ses bras; aussi l aimait-il, et il en etait aitn6 unique-
ment.

Avant sa mort, etant encore en son bon sens, il
exhorta ses parents qui 1 environnaient, de perseve"rer
dans le service de Dieu, et les pria d exhorter aussi
de sa part tous les Sauvages de la prairie de la Mag-
deleine a etre constants dans la foi, et leur fit dire
qu il allait devant eux au ciel, comme il I esp^rait, et
qu il s attendait bien qu ils le suivraient tous. II les
chargea aussi de payer de son petit meuble quelques
dettes qu il avait contracted. Apres quoi il ne
pensa plus qu au paradis, s entretenant doucement
avec Dieu, auquel il rendit son ame tres-paisible-
ment. La nouvelle de cette mort, ayant e"te apportee
ici, remplit tous les esprits de tristesse, mais en
meme temps d un certain sentiment de deVotion, que
causait la memoire de sa vertu.

Comme on a change ici les coutumes ridicules des
Iroquois, touchant les meubles des defunts, ou qu on

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 265

During his illness, he did nothing but recite his
rosary and repeat acts of contrition for his sins, and
of faith, hope, and charity. He thought and spoke
only of God; and, wonderful to relate, when he
frequently became delirious, during the whole of that
time he repeated nothing else but his rosary; and
his sole pleasure consisted in reciting the Ave Maria,
and in adding to it some of the acts of virtue, an
infallible sign of the habit he had contracted. He
manifested but one regret in his illness ; this was at
not seeing his good Father (thus he called Father
Fre min), and at not dying in his arms; in truth, he
loved and was greatly beloved by the Father.

Before his death, while still in possession of his
faculties, he exhorted his relatives, who surrounded
him, to persevere in God s service; and he begged
them also to exhort on his behalf all the Savages of
la prairie de la Magdeleine to be constant in the
faith. Moreover, he sent them word that he was
going before them to heaven, as he hoped; and that
he fully expected all of them to follow him. He
also directed them to pay with his petty effects the
few debts that he had contracted. After this, his
thoughts were solely of paradise ; and he communed
sweetly with God, to whom he gave up his soul very
peacefully. When the news of his death was brought
hither, it filled the minds of all with sorrow, but, at
the same time, with a certain feeling of devotion
caused by the recollection of his virtue.

As we have changed here the ridiculous customs
of the Iroquois respecting the effects of the dead,
which were either buried with them, or devoted to
superstitious purposes, as, I say, these have been
changed into better usages by distributing the effects

266 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

enterrait avec eux, ou dont on se servait supersti-
tieusement; comme, dis-je, on les a change es en de
meilleurs usages, distribuant les meubles en ceuvres
pies et aux pauvres, on n a pas manqu6 de faire de
meme en cette rencontre, mais avec une circonstance
remarquable ; car tons les parents et les plus conside
rables ayant convoque* tout ce bourg, comme en un
conseil ge ne ral, pour faire cette distribution; ces
bons Sauvages, touches par les rares exemples de
vertu que le de"funt leur avait donne"s, parlerent de
Dieu, du paradis et des choses de la foi, en des termes
si hauls, si poe"tiques, si pleins de Dieu et d une
certaine onction de pie te , que cela passe toute
cre*ance. Le P. Fremin, ravi de ce qu il venait
d entendre, dit en sortant qu il ne croyait pas qu il
y cut au monde assemblee de religieux ou 1 on put
parler plus dignement des choses de Dieu et de la Foi.

Celui qui presidait, presentant k 1 assemblee un
riche collier de porcelaine, fit un long discours.
Commencant par les choses que le de"funt 1 avait
charge" de leur dire de sa part, et, prenant en main
ce beau collier: Voilk, leur dit-il, mes compagnons,
la voix de notre defunt frere. Considerez-la bien,
e"coutez-la bien. II pretend qu elle soit e"ternelle
parmi vous, ou comme un reproche continuel de
votre perfidie, si vous quittez la Foi, ou comme un
gage pr6cieux qu il vous laisse de la recompense dont
nous jouirons tous avec lui dans le paradis, si nous
ob^issons k la voix de Dieu et & la sienne.

Ensuite il prit sujet de s etendre sur les louanges
de la Foi, sur le bonheur des Chretiens et sur la
ferveur et la confiance avec laquelle il fallait servir
Dieu. II dit des merveilles la-dessus, les faisant

167S - 77] RELA TION OF 1673 267

in pious works and to the poor, they did not fail to do
the same on this occasion. But this was done with
special solemnity ; for all the relatives and the most
notable men assembled, as in a general council, to
effect this distribution. Those good Savages,
touched by the rare examples of virtue given them
by the deceased, spoke of God, of paradise, and of
matters pertaining to faith, in terms so high, so
poetical, and so full of God and of a certain pious
unction, that it surpasses all belief. Father Fre"min,
delighted with what he had just heard, said on com
ing therefrom that he did not think that there was
in the world a meeting of religious whereat matters
pertaining to God and to the Faith could be more
worthily spoken of.

He who presided presented to the assembly a rich
porcelain collar, and delivered a long discourse.
Beginning with the things that the deceased had
directed him to say to them on his behalf, and hold
ing this fine collar in his hand, he said to them :
" Here, my companions, is the voice of our departed
brother. Consider it well; listen well to it. He
wishes that it may be eternal among you either as
a continual reproach for your perfidy, should you
abandon the Faith ; or as a precious pledge which he
leaves you of the reward that we shall all enjoy with
him in paradise, if we obey God s voice and his."

He then took the opportunity to dwell at length
upon the praises of the Faith, the happiness of Chris
tians, and the fervor and constancy with which God
should be served. He said wonderful things on the
subject, especially reminding them of the rare devo
tion and noble examples of all the virtues given
them by him whose voice he bore to them, and who

268 LES RELATIONS DES J&SUITES [VOL. 5

surtout souvenir de la rare devotion et des beaux
exemples de toutes les vertus que leur avail donnes
celui dont il leur portait la parole, et qui les regar-
dait toujours du haut du ciel pour les animer , les
suivre.

VISITE QUE MONSEIGNEUR L EVEQUE DE QUEBEC ET

M. L INTENDANT ONT RENDUE AUX SAUVAGES

DE LA PRAIRIE DE LA MAGDELEINE

OU EST ETABLIE LA MISSION DE

SAINT-FRANgOIS-XAVIER.

LE vingtieme jour de mai, le R. P. Claude Dablon,
supe"rieur de la Mission de la Compagnie de
Jesus en la Nouvelle-France, e"tant ici & faire sa visite,
nous apprimes que Mgr de Laval, premier eVeque de
Quebec, n e*tait qu a trois lieues de Montreal, ou il
devait faire son entree le lendemain. A cette nou-
velle, le Pere superieur prit avec lui le P. Cholenec
pour s en aller saluer Sa Grandeur. Us trouverent
ce prelat apost clique avec le train et 1 equipage d un
prince de la primitive Eglise. Ce grand homme
pour sa naissance et encore plus pour ses vertus, qui
ont fait tout re"cemment 1 admiration de la France, et
qui, dans son dernier voyage en Europe, lui ont
justement me rite 1 estime et 1 approbation du roi; ce
grand homme, dis-je, faisant la visite en son diocese,
e"tait mene" dans un petit canot d e"corce par deux
pay sans, sans aucune suite que d un eccle"siastique
seulement, et sans rien porter qu une crosse de bois r
qu une mitre fort simple et que le reste des orne-
ments absolument ne"cessaires & un e vtque cTor, comme
le disent les auteurs, en parlant des premiers pre"lats
du Christianisme. Comme il se trouvait dans ce

1673-77] RELATION OF i6rs 269

continually looked down upon them from heaven
that he might urge them to follow him.

VISIT PAID BY MONSEIGNEUR THE BISHOP OF QUEBEC,
AND MONSIEUR THE INTENDANT, TO THE SAV
AGES OF LA PRAIRIE DE LA MAGDELEINE,
WHERE THE MISSION OF SAINT FRAN
COIS XAVIER IS ESTABLISHED.

ON the twentieth day of May, while Reverend
Father Claude Dablon, superior of the Mis
sions of the Society of Jesus in New France, was
here on his visit, we learned that Monseigneur de
Laval, the first bishop of Quebec, was only three
leagues from Montreal, which he was to enter on the
following day. Upon receiving this news, the
Father superior took Father Cholenec 50 with him,
to go to pay his respects to His Lordship. They
found that apostolic prelate with the train and equi
page of a prince of the primitive Church. This man,
who is great by his birth, and still more by his
virtues, which have recently made him the admira
tion of France, and which on his last voyage to
Europe justly won for him the king s esteem and ap
proval, this great man, I say, while visiting his
diocese was conveyed in a small bark canoe by two
peasants, with no other suite than a single ecclesi
astic. He had with him merely a wooden crozier, a
very simple miter, and only such other ornaments
as were absolutely necessary for a golden bishop, as
the authors say when speaking of the first prelates of
Christianity. As in this miserable canoe he was
exposed to all the inclemency of the weather, he
reached Montreal on the twenty-first day of the

270 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VoL.^9

miserable canot expose" a toutes les injures de 1 air,
il arriva a Montreal apres avoir recu toute la pluie
qui fut excessive en ces quartiers, le vingt et unieme
jour du mois.

La fete de la Pentecote, qui e"tait proche, 1 obli-
geant de s arreter dans cette ile pour la consolation
des Fran9ais, dont plusieurs ne 1 avaient pas encore
vu, il donna parole k nos Peres que, des le lundi
suivant, 25 de mai, il irait visiter leur Mission de
Saint-Xavier, k la prairie de la Magdeleine ; et il les
pria de te"moigner aux Sauvages les tendresses de
1 affection qu il avait pour eux. Cette nouvelle
rejouit infiniment tout le bourg; et comme on a
tou jours donne" a nos cate chumenes et a nos neophytes
toute 1 estime due au caractere et au me rite d un si
digne eVeque, on ne peut exprimer ni la joie que leur
causa la seule espe"rance de le voir, ni la ferveur
qu ils apporterent d eux-memes & disposer toutes
choses pour le recevoir a leur maniere le mieux qu il
leur serait possible. C est pourquoi, des le meme
jour, ils commencerent a nettoyer et & aplanir les
avenues, les rues et la place de leur village; ce qu ils
continuerent encore le lendemain, veille de la Pente
cote. Le lundi, qui en e"tait la deuxieme fete, ayant
entendu la sainte messe, ils demanderent au P.
Fre min, leur principal missionnaire la permission de
travailler aux pre"paratifs qu ils n avaient pu faire
plus tot. L ayant obtenue, ils allerent tous au bois
et en rapporterent chacun leur charge de branchages
dont ils formerent une all^e agrdable dans la grande
place, qui est depuis leur chapelle jusqu au fleuve de
Saint- Laurent. Au bout de cette alle"e, sur le bord
de la riviere par ou Monseigneur devait arriver, ils

1673-77] RELATION OF i^ 271

month, after enduring all the rain, which was
unusually heavy in that quarter.

The approach of the festival of Pentecost com
pelled him to stop on that island for the consolation
of the French, many of whom had not yet seen him.
He promised our Fathers that on the following Mon
day, the 25th of May, he would go and visit their
Mission of Saint Xavier at la prairie de la Magdeleine ;
and he begged them to assure the Savages of the
tenderness of his affection for them. This news
caused great rejoicing in the village; and, as we
have always impressed upon our catechumens and
neophytes the esteem due to the character and merits
of so worthy a bishop, it is impossible to express
either the joy caused them by the mere hope of see
ing him, or the ardor that they displayed, of their
own accord, in preparing everything to give him the
best reception in their power. Consequently, on
the very same day, they began to clean and level the
approaches, the streets, and the public place in
their village ; and they continued this work on the
following day, the eve of Pentecost. On Monday,
which was the second day of the festival, after hear
ing holy mass, they asked Father Fremin, their
principal missionary, for permission to work at the
preparations that they had been unable to make any
earlier. Having obtained it, they all proceeded to
the woods, whence each one brought back a load of
branches; and with these they made a pleasant
avenue in the public place, which extends from
their chapel to the river Saint Lawrence. At the end
of this avenue, on the bank of the river, where Mon-
seigneur was to land, they placed a small platform
raised about two feet above the water. In the

272 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

avaient plac6 une petite estrade elevee sur 1 eau
d environ deux pieds. Au milieu de la meme allee,
ils avaient dresse un berceau, et Us I ornerent de diners
feuillages affin que Monseigneur i euesque y pust receuoir
leur premier compliment. Joignant r eschafaut ils
ancient dispose" vne longue alle"e de branchages, par
laquelle on pust alter a U ombre des feuilles depuis le bord
de r eau Jusqua I eglise: an milieu de cette allee quiestoit
de 2 ou joo pas estoit prepare vn Cabinet de verdure auec
des sieges de gazon ou se deuoit faire le 2 d Compliment; et
a la port e de I eglise ou ValUe se terminoit estoit encore vn
autre berceau de feuillages ou Monseig r . deuoit estre
harangue" po 9 la j* fois.

Les choses estant ainsi disposes et tous les sauuages d"un
coste auec leurs plus beaux ornements s estans range s sur
le riuage et de V autre tous les francois qui habitent cette
Coste en asses bon nombre on ne faisoit plus qu attendre la
venue de Monseig r . / Euesque.

II estoit a montreal ou il auoit faict son entree deux
Jours auparauant, et le troisieme r apres midy il monta en
canot po 9 trauerser Jusques icy ayant pres de deux lieues
a faire par le chemin quil deuoit tenir.

Pendant quil naiiige II est bon de remarquer en passant
que I est f equipage de Ce grand prelat en faisant ses visit es
II n auoit auec luy po 9 train quun esclesiastique et deux
personnes po 9 conduire vn petit Canot d" e scarce dans lequel
il estoit. C est vne voiture bien dangereuse quand on ri a
pas des ho**, bien experts dans cette sorte de nauigation; et
bien sujete a des incomodite"s puts qu on y est expose" a
toutes les injures de r air et de fait le Jour quil arriua a
montreal [ilfut expose a] il receut sur luy vne grosse pluye
\quil receut sur luy] pendant plus de j lieues.

Par bonheur le temps estoit fort beau le Jour qu il
choisit po 9 nous honorer de sa visite. Sur les j heures du

1673-77] RELATION OF 1675 273

middle of the same avenue, they erected a bower,
and ornamented it with various kinds of foliage, in order
that Monseigneur the bishop might there receive their first
congratulatory address. Beginning at the platform, they
had prepared a long arbor of green boughs, by which one
could go under the leafy shade from the water s edge To
the church. At the middle of this arbor, which zvas 2 or
joo paces in length, a Bower of verdure was erected,
having seats of turf, in which was to be offered the 2nd
Congratulation; and at the door of the church, where the
walk ended, there was still another green bower, in which
Monseigneur was to be addressed for the ^rd time.

Their preparations being thus made, and all being
ranged along the river -bank, on one side all the savages,
decked out with their gaudiest ornaments; and on the
other all the frenchmen, who live on this Cote in a goodly
number, it only remained to await the coming of Mon
seigneur the Bishop.

He was at montreal, where he had made his entry
two Days before; in the afternoon of the third day, he
embarked in a canoe to cross over Hither, having nearly
two leagues to cover by the route that he was to take.

While he is voyaging, It will be well to observe, in
passing, what retinue This great prelate has, when making
his visits. He had, in his train, only one ecclesiastic, and
two persons to manage a small bark Canoe in which he sat.
It is a very dangerous conveyance when one has not men
very expert in that kind of navigation; and it may be very
uncomfortable, since one is exposed in it to all inclemencies
of the weather. In fact, on the Day when he arrived at
montreal, tfare fell upon him [he was exposed to] a heavy
shower \whichfell upon him] for more than j leagues.

Happily, the weather was very fine on the Day which
he selected for honoring us ivith his visit. At j o* clock in

274 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5&

soir on vit paroistre de loin son Canot sur vn espece de lac

que faict la riuiere qui s eslargit beaucoup en cet endroit

la. nostre p. superieur qui estoit alors icy s* embarqua

aussi tost po 9 aller a la rencontre de sa grandeur, et le

salua a un petit quart de lieue loing du bord de V eau

La cloche de 1 eglise commengant en meme temps de

sonner, chacun accourut ou Monseigneur devait

debarquer. Le P. Fremin se mit sur la droite, a la

tete de tons ses Sauvages, et le P. Cholenec prit la

gauche, ayant avec soi tous les Frangais. quand le

Canot de Monseig r fut a la porte"e de la voix; Le Capitaine

des hurons auec les anciens de la mesme nation s est ant

place s sur V eschafaut dont no 9 auons par It, cria tout haut,

Euesque arrest e ton Canot t et escoute ce que J ay a te dire.

on auoit prit Monseig r . / euesque de souffrir que nos

sauuages vsassent des leurs ceremonies ord res . quand Us

font des receptions, et s 1 est ant faict expliquer ce compliment

il prit plaisir a cette naiuete", et s arresta volontiers pour

escouter ces deux orateurs qui le haranguerent I un apres

V autre en I asseurant de leur Joye et de [leur respecf\

Vesper ence quils auoient que sa presence les combleroit des

benedictions du del, en le loiiant de son esprit de sa vertu,

et de sa dignitt qui V esleuoit tant au dessus des autres

maistres de la foy, et de la priere, et en Vinuitant de

prendre terre ch/s eux; qu Us le conduiroient dabord dans

la maison du grand maistre de nos vies. Monseigneur

mit alors pied a terre, et s 1 est ant reuestu de son Camail et

de son rochet, il donna sa benediction a tout le monde qui

estoient a genoux. Le p. fremin entonna aussitost le vent

creator en langue Iroquoise, et fut second^ de tous ses

sauuages ho es . etfemmes selon leur coustume, Us le suiuirent

aussi dans V espece de prossession qu il Commanca le long

de I alle e qui auoit este" faicte po 9 ce sujet. Monseig r .

1673-77] RELATION OF ifyjs 27->

the afternoon his Canoe came in sight, far away, on a sort
of lake formed by the river, which at that place becomes
much wider. Our father superior, who was then here,
immediately embarked to go to meet his lordship, and
greeted him at hardly a quarter of a league from the shore.
At the same time, the church-bell began to sound,
and every one hastened to the place where Monsei
gneur would land. Father Fre"min stood on the right ,
at the head of all his Savages ; and Father Cholenec
took the left, and with him all the French people.
When Monseigneur s Canoe was within speaking distance,
The Captain of the hurons, who had taken his place with
the elders of the same nation on the platform which we
have mentioned, called out in a loud voice: "Bishop,
stop thy Canoe, and hear what I have to say to thee!
Monseigneur the bishop had been asked to permit that our
savages should practice the ceremonies usual with them
when they give receptions; and having had this compliment
explained to him, he enjoyed their naive greeting. Accord
ingly, he readily halted to listen to these two orators, who
harangued him in turn, assuring him of their Joy, and
[their respect] the hope entertained by them that his
presence would crown them with the blessings of Heaven.
They praised his intellect, virtue, and dignity, which
exalted him so high above other masters of the faith and
the prayer; and invited him to come ashore among them,
that they might conduct him at once to the house of the
great master of our lives. Monseigneur then landed; and,
having robed himself in his Camail and rochet, he gave
his blessing to all the people, who remained upon their
knees. Father fremin immediately intoned the "veni
creator in the Iroquois tongue, and was assisted by all
the savages, men and women, as is their custom. They
accompanied him also in a sort of procession, which he

276 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

marchoit apres eux suiui de tous les francois qui chanterent
en latin le veni creator alternatiuement auec les sauuages
on arriua en cet ordre au i r berceau soubs lequel Monseig".
s estant arrest 2, vn capitaine des onont ague s, et vn ancien
d onneiout le haranguerent au nom de toutes les $ nations
Iroquoises. apres quoy on s* aduanca J usque s au 2 d . berceau
soubs lequel sa grandeur fut harangue e po 9 la j e fois par
nostre feruent [dogique] catechiste nomme paul qui estant
acoutumt a parler souuent en public po 9 Instruire ses freres
fit icy son compliment auec vne force d esprit, vne piete", et
vne eloquence incroyable dans vn sauuage. Estant done
monte sur vn tronc d arbre qui luy seruoit de Chaire il
osta son chapeau fit le signe de la Croix et esleuant ses
yeux auec sa voix au del il remercie Dieu de la grace quil
leur faisoit de leur enuoyer le s f . Euesque son lieutenent et
demanda encore celle de profiter de sa visite. En suite
s adressant a sa grandeur, il la loua de son Zele et de sa
Charite" po 9 les antes en luy rendent mille actions de graces
po 9 ses soings egalement estendus sur les francois et sur les
pauures sauuages. ce discours fini Monseigneur entra
dans I* eglise ou le p cholenec en surplis luy presenta I eau
benite, et fit apres le salut du s* sacrement, ou les francois
et les sauuages chanterent encore a deux chceurs le pange
lingua r aue" marts stella, et le domine saluum fac regem;
apres quoy les sauuages seuls ho" etfemmes alternatiuement
chanterent vn second motet du S l sacrement.

Le salut acheve" Monseigneur estant entre" en nostre
maison coe il vit que les sauuages le suiuoient il fit entrer
les ho** . leur donnent a tous sa main a baiser, et leur
faisant pleusieurs caresses, nommement a ceux quon luy
disoient estre les plus feruents. Estant passe" dans vne
autre chambre il permit aux femmes d"y entrer po 9 loiier
leur piett a proportion du bien qu on luy disoit de chascune

1673-77] RELATION OF

Headed, along the shaded ivalk which had been made for
that purpose. Monseigneur walked after them, followed
by all the frenchmen, who chanted in latin the "veni
creator " alternately with the savages. In this order the
ist bower was reached, under which Monseigneur halted,
and a captain of the onont ague s and an elder from onneiout
addressed him, in the name of all the 5 Iroquois nations.
After that, they proceeded To the 2nd bower, under which
his lordship was addressed, for the jrd time, by our devout
[dogique] cat ec hist, named paul, who, being accustomed
to speak often in public, when Instructing his brethren,
now offered his congratulations with a spirit, piety, and
eloquence surprising in a savage. Having mounted upon
the stump of a tree, which served him as a Rostrum, he
took off his hat and made the sign of the Cross. Then,
lifting his eyes and his voice toward heaven, he thanked
God for the favor that he had granted them in sending
them the holy Bishop, his representative; and prayed,
further, for the grace of profiting by his visit. After
ward, addressing his lordship, he praised him for his Zeal
and his Charity for souls, returning him a thousand thanks
for his watchful care, extended equally to the french and
the poor savages. This address ended, Monseigneur
entered the church, where father cholenec, in surplice,
presented to him holy water and gave the benediction of
the blessed sacrament. At that ceremony the french and
the savages chanted again, in two choirs, the "pange
lingua," " a ve maris stella," and " domine salvum fac
regem," after which the savages alone, men and women
alternately, sang a second motet of the Blessed sacrament.
The benediction ended, Monseigneur came into our house.
Perceiving that the savages were following him, he made
the men come in and gave to all of them his hand to kiss,
bestowing upon them many tokens of regard, especially on

278 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

d elles. En fin il les conge dia en leur donnant a tous
sa benediction. Des Iroquois infideles, arrives depuis
peu de leur pays, et qui ne respiraient que la guerre
et la fierte", la recurent aussi en rendant a Sa Gran
deur tous les memes devoirs et toutes les memes
soumissions que nos chr6tiens, comme si la presence
d un si bon pasteur eut change ces cruels loups en
de doux agneaux.

Le lendemain qui estoit la j e feste de la pentecoste fut
veritablement Jour de descente du S*. esprit sur cette mis
sion par le grace des sacrements que Monseig r . y confera
auec toute la Joye et la bonte 1 possible, et que nos sauuages
receurent auec vne modestie et vne deuotion admirable. II
commenca des le grand matin par le baptesme de dix adultes
4. ho", et six femmes, il continua par j mariages qiiil fit;
apres quoy il dit la s te . messe pendant laquelle nos sauuages
chanter ent et communierent po 9 la plus part de sa main.
II leur donna encore la Confirmation en permetant aussy
aux francois qui ne V auoient pas receue de se Joindre aux
sauuages. pour lesquels seuls il e"tait venu, a ce qu il
assure. Le pere fremin leur repeta en sauuage le sermon
que sa grandeur leur fit en nostre langue.

La matine e s estant ainsi passe e on fit en son nom vn
festin a tous nos sauuages dans la cabane du Dogique
vne grande Cabane. coe Us sceurent que sa grandeur y
deuoit assister Us preparerent pour luy et pour sa suite des
places quils ornerent de tout ce qu ils auoient de plus beau.
Le festin que fut plus long en harangues en chans et en
ceremonies semblables qu a manger estant acheue , Mon-
seigneur ne se Contentant pas de cette faueur faite a tous
en g** 1 , voulut encore par vn exe"s de sa bonte" et de sa
Condescendence ord re . visit er chasque famille et chaque
particulier en sa Cabane propre; dequoy nos sauuages ne se

1673- 77] RELA TION OF 1673 279

those who, as he was informed, were the most devout.
Having gone into another room, he gave permission to the
women to come in, in order that he might praise their piety
in proportion to the good that was reported to him respecting
each of them. At length he dismissed them, bestowing
upon them all his blessing. It was also received by
some infidel Iroquois, who had recently arrived from
their own country, and who breathed only war and
arrogance ; for they paid all respect and submission
to His Lordship, the same as our Christians gave,
as if the presence of so good a pastor had changed
those cruel wolves into gentle lambs.

The morrow, which was whitsun-tuesday, was truly a
Day of the descent of the Holy ghost upon this mission,
through the grace of the sacraments which Monseigneur
most Gladly and kindly bestowed upon it, and which our
savages received with admirable modesty and devotion.
He commenced, in the early morning, with the baptism of
ten adults, 4. men and six women, following this up
with 3 marriages, at which he himself officiated. After
that, he said holy mass, during which our savages chanted
and received communion, in most cases, from his own
hand. He further gave them Confirmation, permitting
also the french who had not received it to Join the
savages for whose sake alone, he asserted, he had
come. Father fremin repeated to them, in the savage
tongue, the sermon which his lordship preached to them
in our own.

The morning having thus passed, there was given in
his name a feast to all our savages in the Dogique s
a large Cabin. As they knew that his lordship was to be
present thereat, they prepared for him and for his suite
places, which they decked out with all the most beautiful
articles which they possessed. The feast, which was

280 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

furent pas plustost aperscus que po 9 reconnoistre vne
faueur si grande Us ornerent leurs Cabanes de tout ce
qu Us auoient de plus pretieux dans leurs petits magasins.
preparant line place pour y faire asseoir Sa Grandeur,
et etendant a terre, les uns des branchages, les autres
des nattes bien travaille"es, d autres de belles peaux,
d autres des couvertures de ratine et de semblables
etoffes. Netoyant les rues par ou il deuoit passer, et les
embellissant autant quils le pouuoient, Monseig r . fut
bien content et edifit de tons ces sinceres temoignages
d affection et de respect, et quoy quil se fit tart lors qu il
eut visits tout le monde, I ardeur que montrerent quelques
par ens a luy faire baptiser leurs enfans fut Cause que no 9
luy en presentasmes sept ausquels il Con/era tout aussi
tost ce Sacrem*. apres quoy il assist a au salut qui se fit coe
le Jour precedent le lendemain matin ay ant encore voulu
dire la messe de nos sauuages qui y chanterent tres bien a
leur ord re . il reprit le chemin de montreal tout le monde
r acompagnant Jusques a la riuiere coe Von auoit faict a
son arriue e. lors qu il fut prest d 1 entrer dans son Canot,
on se mit a genoux po 9 receuoir sa benediction quil donna
tncore a toute V assemble qui le suiuit tant qu elle put des
yeux, et dont il emporta tous les Cceurs, en luy laissant le
sien.

Nous eusmes loisir d 1 entretenir Monseig r . V Euesque
pendant quil fut icy de quelques vns de nos sauuages dont
la vertu esclatoit dauantage, outre la satisfaction quil
lesmoigna auoir de tout le qu il auoit veu, et du bon estat
ou il trouuoit cette mission; II prit sur tout plaisir au recit
que nous luy fismes de la pretieuse mort d un June Iroquois
Chrestien.

Une des choses par cm ce saint Prelat et sa suite
remarquerent mieux la solide vertu des Sauvages de

1673-77] RELATION OF i6n 281

protracted, rather by addresses, songs, and similar
ceremonies than by eating, being over, Monseigneur, not
Contenting himself with this favor granted to all in
general, was further pleased, by an excess of his goodness
and of his usual Condescension, to visit each family, and
each individual in his own Cabin, Our savages no sooner
perceived this than, in order to show their gratitude for a
favor so great, they decorated their Cabins with all that
was most precious in their scanty stores, making ready
a place wherein to seat His Lordship, and spreading
upon the ground, in some places, branches of trees,
in others, handsomely worked mats ; some laid down
rich furs, others blankets of ratine and of similar
stuffs. They Cleaned the thoroughfares through which
he was to pass and beautified them to the utmost of their
ability. Monseigneur was greatly pleased and edified at
all these sincere tributes of affection and respect; and,
although it was late by the time he had visited all the
people, the zeal which some parents showed to have him
baptize their children Resulted in our presenting to him
seven of these, on whom he immediately Conferred that
Sacrament. He then assisted at benediction, which took
place as on the preceding Day. On the following morning,
having again been pleased to say mass for our savages, who
sang at it very well, as they usually do, he set out on his
return to montreal, all bearing him company as Far as the
river, as had been done on his arrival. When he was on
the point of stepping into his Canoe, they knelt down t&
receive his benediction, which he again bestowed upon all
assembled, who followed him with their eyes as far as they
could see. He carried away all their Hearts, while
leaving them his own.

We had leisure for conversing with Monseigneur the
Bishop, while he was here, concerning some of our savages.

282 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

cette Mission, et qtd les ravit davantage, fut que la
joie de toute cette fete ne fut point troublee par la
plus funeste nouvelle qui put arriver pour ce bourg.
Comme depuis quelque temps on e"tait en peine d une
bande de chasseurs entre lesquels e"tait le capitaine
des Agnies, un des plus considerables de tous les
Iroquois, et qui de plus est un tres-excellent chretien,
le mardi au matin, comme on e"tait pret de dire la
messe, un Sauvage arriva de Quebec, qui assura,
qu en passant par les Trois- Rivieres, il avait apprit
des Sauvages-Loups que d autres de leur nation
auraient tu6 les chasseurs dont on 6tait en peine a la
Prairie.

Quoique cette nouvelle se soit dans la suite trouve"e
fausse, grace a Dieu, cependant elle fut crue de tout
le monde pour veritable ; et ainsi, suivant la coutume
des Sauvages, dans de pareilles occasions, tous les
parents de ceux dont on avait annonce" la mort
devaient se tenir renferme s chez eux sans paraitre a
aucune action publique, si est-ce que non-seulement
ils assisterent tous au divin service, auquel ils recurent
le sacrement de penitence, d eucharistie et de confir
mation, mais encore la femme de ce capitaine, toute
abime*e dans la douleur, ajouta a toutes ses devotions
celle de presenter a la messe le pain be"nit qu elle
devait donner ce jour-la, et fit ensuite la quete par
l e"glise avec toutes les civility s d une dame fran^aise,
et avec une modestie, une force d esprit et une resi
gnation aux ordres de Dieu, infiniment plus grande.
Monseigneur I eVeque ayant appris apres la messe ce
qui e"tait arrive", et ayant 6te" informe de la parfaite
amide" que cette femme forte avait pour son mari,
loua hautement sa vertu, et lui te"moigna, par tout ce

1673-77] RELATION OF i6js 283

whose virtue shone with more than ordinary luster.
Besides the satisfaction which, he assured us, he had felt
at all that he had seen, and at the good condition in which
he found this mission, He took an especial pleasure in the
narration which we gave him of the precious death of a
Young Iroquois Christian.

One of the things which enabled that holy Prelate
and his suite better to observe the solid virtue of the
Savages of this Mission, and which delighted them
most, was that the joy of all this feast was not dis
turbed by the saddest news that could come to this
village. Anxiety had been felt, for some time, for
a band of hunters, among whom was the captain of
the Agnie"s, one of the most noted of all the Iroquois
and, moreover, an excellent Christian. On Tuesday
morning, as mass was about to begin, a Savage
arrived from Quebec, who stated that when he passed
through Three Rivers he had learned, from some
Loup Savages, that others of their tribe had killed
the hunters about whom the people of la Prairie
were anxious.

Although in the sequel this news, thanks be to
God, turned out to be false, it was nevertheless be
lieved by all to be true ; and thus, according to the
custom of the Savages on similar occasions, all the
relatives of those whose death had been announced
should have remained shut up in their houses, with
out making their appearance on any public occasion.
Nevertheless they not only all attended divine
service at which they received the sacraments of
penance, the eucharist, and confirmation; but even
the wife of that captain, afflicted as she was, added
to all her devotions that of offering at mass the
blessed bread, which she had to give on that day.

284 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5$

qu il put, la part qu il prenait a sa perte et a celle
des Iroquois qui croyaient leurs gens morts; ainsi,
tout le stratageme qu il semblait que le d&mon
n avait invente que pour jeter le desordre dans les
esprits, et pour empecher les fruits de la visite de
Monseigneur 1 Eveque, ne servit qu a faire 6clater
davantage la vertu de nos nouveaux Chretiens et qu a
augmenter la juste estime ou est cette Mission.

M. 1 intendant n en a pas congu moins d opinion
dans la visite qu il y fit peu apres. Get illustre mi-
nistre de Sa Majeste", dont 1 arrivee a 6t6 si heureuse
a la Nouvelle-France, et qui, par sa piete", sa douceur,
son intdgrite, son ardeur d obliger tout le monde, et
son application aux affaires, remplit si dignement
toutes les charges, arriva dans la ville de Montreal un
samedi au soir, 20 juin ; il prit aussitot jour pour venir
visiter nos Sauvages a la Prairie, ou il se rendit en
effet le samedi suivant, accompagne" de M. Dam-
brant, son fils aine, de M. Perrot, gouverneur de
Montreal, et de plus de cinquante personnes des plus
considerables du pays, entre lesquelles e"tait M. le
cure de Montreal.

Comme nos Sauvages ont 1 obligation a ce digne
intendant d une belle terre d une lieue et demie qu il
leur a accordee, parce que celle de la Prairie etant
dans un fond, n est pas propre pour le ble" d Inde, ce
leur fut une indicible joie de le voir arriver sur le
soir par un tres-beau temps et avec une suite de
douze ou quinze canots. II n eut pas, lui-meme,
moins de joie de voir sur le rivage un si grand
nombre de Sauvages chre"tiens, qui taient venus au-
devant de lui, et dont il connaissait la foi et la pi6t6
par la reputation qu ils se sont justement acquise.

1673-77] RELATION OF i6fj 285

Afterward, she took up the collection in the church,
with all the good breeding of a French lady, with
infinitely greater modesty and self-possession, and
resignation to God s will. After mass, when Mon-
seigneur the bishop learned what had happened, and
was informed of the perfect love which that brave
woman had for her husband, he highly praised her
virtue, and showed by every means in his power the
regret that he felt for her loss, and for that of the
Iroquois who believed their people to be dead. Thus
the whole stratagem which the devil seemed to have
invented solely to disturb the minds of the savages,
and to prevent the good results of Monseigneur the
Bishop s visit, served but to make the virtue of our
new Christians shine more brightly, and to increase
the esteem in which this Mission is justly held.

Monsieur the intendant conceived no less an
opinion of it during a visit which he paid there
shortly afterward. That illustrious minister of His
Majesty, whose coming has been so fortunate for
New France and who, by his piety, his kindness,
his integrity, his anxiety to oblige every one, and
his application to business, so worthily fills all his
offices, arrived in the town of Montreal on the even
ing of Saturday, June 20. He at once appointed a
day to visit our Savages at la Prairie, whither, in
fact, he proceeded on the following Saturday, accom
panied by Monsieur Dambrant, his eldest son ; Mon
sieur Perrot, governor of Montreal; and over fifty
of the most notable persons of the country, among
whom was Monsieur the cur6 of Montreal.

As our Savages are under obligation to that worthy
intendant for a fine piece of land, a league and a
half in extent, 51 which he granted them because that

286 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [ VOL. 59

Apres 1 avoir salue, selon leur coutume, nos Peres
et eux le conduisirent & 1 eglise, ou il fit ses prieres
devant le Saint-Sacrement. Ensuite, pour montrer
aux Sauvages qu il e"tait venu pour eux, il alia a leur
village, qui etait un peu eloigne de la chapelle, et
ayant passe quelque temps dans les cabanes & donner
mille marques de son amitie et de sa vertu, il retour-
na & 1 eglise, d ou on alia processionnellement au
bucher prepare* pour la fete de Saint- Jean, qui tombait
le lendemain.

Le P. Fremin marchait k la tete des Sauvages,
puis le porte-croix avec deux enfants en surplis qui
portaient les chandeliers, apres lesquels marchait le
P. Cholenec qui servait de diacre & M. le cure" de
Montreal, que Ton avait prie d omcier; M. 1 inten-
dant suivait, et avait apres lui M. le gouverneur de
Montreal et un grand nombre de Frangais ; sur les
deux cote s de cette longue procession s e"tait rangee
en haie et en armes, la jeunesse Sauvage a la gauche,
et la fran9aise & la droite, ayant a sa tete le fils de
M. 1 intendant. Us firent tous plusieurs decharges,
a 1 instant ou M. 1 intendant eut commence" de mettre
le feu au bucher et ou 1 officiant eut entonne" le chant
ordinaire ; ce chant fut continue par les Frangais et
les Sauvages qui chantaient en deux choeurs, ceux-ci
en latin et ceux-lk en iroquois. Si M. 1 intendant
temoigna apres cette cere"monie qu il avait e"te ravi
du chant et principalement de la devotion de nos
Sauvages qui avaient assiste" k cette procession en
silence et priere, nos Sauvages ne furent pas moins
6difies de 1 y avoir vu toujours nu-tete, son chapelet
la main, et avec les marques de cette haute piete" dont
il fait une profession exemplaire. II nous en donna

1673-77] RELATION OF i675 287

of la Prairie, being in low ground, is not suitable
for raising Indian corn, they were delighted beyond
expression to see him arrive in the evening, in very
fine weather, followed by twelve or fifteen canoes.
He himself felt no less joy at seeing on the beach so
great a number of Christian Savages, who had come to
meet him, and whose faith and piety he knew by the
reputation which they have so deservedly acquired.
After saluting him according to their custom, our
Fathers and they led him to the church where he
said his prayers before the Blessed Sacrament.
Then, to show the Savages that he had come on their
account, he went to their village, which lies a short
distance from the chapel; and, after passing some
time in the cabins, giving a thousand proofs of his
friendship and his virtue, he returned to the church.
Thence all walked in procession to the bonfire
prepared for the feast of Saint John, which fell on
the following day. 52

Father Fremin marched at the head of the Savages ;
then came the cross-bearer, with two boys in sur
plices carrying candlesticks. After them walked
Father Cholenec, acting as deacon to Monsieur the
cure of Montreal, whom we had asked to officiate.
Monsieur the intendant came next, followed by Mon
sieur the governor of Montreal and a large number
of Frenchmen. On both sides of this long procession
the youth were marshaled in two files, and under
arms, on the left the young Savages, and on the
right the young French, with the son of Monsieur
the intendant at their head. They fired several
volleys at the moment when Monsieur the intendant
began to light the bonfire, and when the officiant
intoned the usual chant. This chant was continued

288 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 59

encore de nouvelles preuves, soit par le pen qu il
prit pour la collation de ce jour-la, qui 6tait la vigile
de Saint- Jean, soit le lendemain par la devotion qu il
fit paraitre en entendant la messe, et en recevant
les sacrements de penitence et d eucharistie. Comme,
pendant tout ce temps, nos Sauvages chanterent en
leur langue, alternativement les hommes d un cot6
et les femmes de 1 autre, il temoigna que leur chant
lui avait donne" bien de la devotion et de la joie de
voir Dieu loue et servi par des gens qui vivaient, il y
a peu d anne"es, plutot en betes qu en hommes.

Avant le diner, il tint chez nous un conseil general
de tous les Sauvages qui 6taient a la Prairie, savoir
des cinq nations iroquoises, des Hurons et des Loups ;
leur ayant par son interprete donne de grandes
louanges de leur zele et de leur fidelite" pour le culte
de Dieu et pour le service du roi, il les exhorta de
continuer et leur promit tout ce qui pourrait dependre
de sa personne ; il accompagna son discours de beaux
presents pour ces peuples, au nom desquels il fut
remerci6 par le capitaine de la Prairie. En se met-
tant a table, il fit asseoir a ses cote s nos capitaines,
but a leur sante et voulut qu ils bussent a la sienne,
ne pouvant se lasser de leur temoigner son affection.
C est pourquoi, apres son diner, il fit faire un festin
a tout le village dans la plus grande de toutes les
cabanes, ou il eut la bonte de demeurer plus de deux
heures pour assister a toutes leurs ceremonies, quoi
qu il fit un chaud insupportable. Au sortir de la, on
lui presenta un petit Sauvage de six a sept ans pour
le tenir sur les fonts de bapteme, ce qu il fit en le
nommant Fran9ois-Xavier, a cause de la deVotion
qu il a pour ce grand patron de notre Mission.

1673-77] RELATION OF i6is 289

by the French and Savages, who sang alternately,
the former in Latin, and the latter in Iroquois. If
Monsieur the intendant after the ceremony showed
that he was charmed with the singing and, above all,
with the devotion of our Savages, who had assisted
at the procession silently and in prayer, our Savages
were no less edified at seeing him in it bareheaded,
his rosary in his hand, and with evidences of that
profound piety which he professes in so exemplary a
manner. He gave us still further proofs of it, both
by the little that he ate at collation on that day, which
was the vigil of the feast of Saint John ; and, on the
following day, by the devotion with which he heard
mass,, and received the sacraments of penance and
the eucharist. As during all that time our Savages
sang in their language alternately, the men on one
side, and the women on the other, he declared that
their singing had inspired him with much devotion,
and with joy at seeing God praised and served by
people who, a few years previously, lived more like
animals than like men.

Before dinner, he held at our house a general
council of all the Savages at la Prairie namely,
those of the five Iroquois nations, the Hurons, and
the Loups. Having, through his interpreter, given
them great praise for their zeal and fidelity in wor
shiping God and serving the king, he exhorted
them to continue, and promised them to do for them
whatever he personally could. He accompanied his
discourse by fine presents for those tribes, in whose
name he was thanked by the captain of la Prairie.
On sitting down to table, he made our captains sit
beside him ; he drank their health and wished them
to drink his, and could not sufficiently manifest his

290 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES [VOL. 5&

Apres nous avoir donne toutes ces marques, et
plusieurs autres encore de sa solide pie"te" et de sa
cordiale affection, il s en retourna & Montreal avec
toute sa suite, pendant que tous nos pauvres Sau-
vages, 1 ayant reconduit jusqu a la riviere, 1 accom-
pagnaient du cceur et des yeux. II leur rendit comme
une seconde visite quelque temps apres, laquelle ne
fut pas moins obligeante que la premiere. Mais,
pour ne pas user de redite, je dirai seulement qu elle
fut plus familiere, e"tant venu cette fois, lui troisieme,
et qu elle lui couta beaucoup plus & cause de la pluie
et de 1 orage dont il fut surpris en chemin. Cepen-
dant toute 1 eau qui tomba ne ralentit rien du feu de
sa charite et de son zele pour le bien de nos pauvres
Sauvages.

1673-77] RELATION OF ifyjj 291

affection to them. As a token of this regard, after
dinner he gave a great feast to the entire village, in
the largest of all the cabins, where he was good
enough to remain more than two hours, in order to
be present at all their ceremonies, although the heat
was unbearable. On leaving the place, a little
Savage, six or seven years of age, was presented to
him that he might stand godfather to the child ; this
he did, and named him Franfois Xavier, on account
of his devotion to the great patron of our Mission.

After giving us all these and still many other evi
dences of his solid piety and cordial affection, he
returned to Montreal with all his suite; while all
our poor Savages, who accompanied him to the
river, followed him with their hearts and with their
eyes. He paid them a second visit some time after
ward, which was no less kind than the previous one.
But, to avoid repetition I shall merely say that it was
a more familiar one; for he came, this time, with
two other persons, and it cost him much more,
owing to the rain and storm that overtook him on
the road. Nevertheless, all the water that fell did
not in any wise cool the fire of his charity, and of
his zeal for the welfare of our poor Savages.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX

CXXXIII

For bibliographical particulars of the Relation of
1673-74, see Vol. LVIII.

CXXXIV

The original MS. of Father Louis Ni colas sMtmoire
pour un Missionaire qui ira aux 7 lies, written probably
in June or July, 1673, rests in the archives of St.
Mary s College, Montreal. This is its first publication.

cxxxv

This letter of Claude Dablon to the provincial at
Paris, Jean Pinette, was written at Quebec, October
24, 1674. In its publication we follow the text in
Douniol s Relations intdites, t. ii., pp. 3-15.

CXXXVI-CXXXVIII

These three records of the remarkable voyages by
Father Marquette are published by us from the
original MSS., now resting in the archives of St.
Mary s College, Montreal. Doc. CXXXVI. is the
account of the first voyage (1673), in Marquette s
handwriting, with corrections by his superior, Da
blon; Doc. CXXXVII. is Marquette s unfinished au
tograph journal of his second expedition (1674-75), of
which we also publish a facsimile ; Doc. CXXXVIII.
is Dablon s account of this second expedition, with
particulars of Marquette s death in 1675. These
several documents have already, as described below,

294 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

been published by Lenox, Douniol, Shea, and others.
We have changed the order in which they are given
by previous editors, by throwing Allouez s account
of the voyage to the Illinois (1676) forward into its
proper chronological sequence, and inserting between
the reports of the first and second voyages of Mar-
quette, as given by Dablon, Marquette s own journal
of his second voyage ; this is in accordance with our
purpose of preserving, so far as practicable, a strictly
chronological arrangement.

The bibliographic history of Marquette s voyages
is a puzzle ; we present here a series of interesting
data, as a contribution toward its solution. There
are several manuscripts extant, which, in the main,
duplicate one another ; they are mentioned in Har-
risse s Notes, pp. 142 and 143. In presenting his
narrative, we have, as above stated, had recourse to
a MS. with Dablon s corrections, preserved in the
archives of St. Mary s College, Montreal. That
MS. lacks pp. 55-63, a lacuna which we have sup
plied from the 1681 edition of Thevenot s Recueil,
described below. St. Mary s also possesses the
original autograph journal of Marquette s second
expedition, covering the period from October 25,
1674, to April 6, 1675 ; and the original map which
he drew, presumably in the winter of 1673-74.
These are also reproduced by us, directly from the
originals, by photography.

The Marquette narrative was first printed in an
abridged form, probably from a manuscript which
Dablon had sent to Paris. It comprises only 43
pages of the following collection: " Recueil | de
Voyages | de M r | Thevenot. | Dedie" av Roy. | [Cut] \

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX 295

A Paris, | Chez Estienne Michallet | rue S. Jaques a
1 Image S. Paul. | M. DC. LXXXI. | Avec Privilege
du Roy."

Thevenot s little volume is a composite; the Mar-
quette portion has its own pagination, and is en
titled: " Decouverte | de quelques Pays | et Nations
| de | 1 Amerique j Septentrionale." There is a
copy of this edition in the Lenox Library; also
another, typographically agreeing with it in all
other respects, but having the date " M. DC.
LXXXII." Camus, in his Mdmoire (Paris, 1802), p.
282, thus refers to another variation: " J ai vu de
ce livre un exemplaire portant au frontispice la date
de 1 68 1, chez Michallet. Sur cette indication e"toit
collie une autre adresse, chez Thomas Moette, 1687."
There is still a fourth variety, tabulated in the
auction catalogue of the Sunderland or Blenheim
Library, sold in 1883 (pt. v., item 12409). It is a
copy with the 1682 date, having pasted over it this
fresh imprint: Paris, I. Moette, 1689." Henry
Stevens bid it in for 17. Thevenot s Recueil con
tains a map of the Mississippi, engraved by Liebaux,
which differs from, and is quite inferior to, Mar-
quette s own chart, it is, in fact, of no practical
value ; but we present both of them as a striking
parallel. The "facsimile" of Marquette s genuine
map, as reproduced by Shea and others, is not with
out blunders, which will be detected upon compari
son with the photographic facsimile given in the
present volume of our series. On p. 268 of his
Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley,
Shea gives the following " Comparative Table Of
the Names on the Map published by Thevenot, as
Marquette s, and on his Real Map: "

296

LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

THEVENOT.

MARQUETTE.

USUAL FORM.

Mouingwena

Moingwena

Moingonan

Pe-wanea

Pe-warea

Pe-oria

Tillini-wek

Ilinois

Alliniwek and Illi

nois

Missi-ousing

Miscousing

Wisconsin

Cach-ouach-wia

Kachkaskia

Kaskaskia

Manoutensac

Maskoutens

Kamissi

Kanza

Autrechaha

Ouchage

Osage

Ou-missouri

We-messouret

Missouri

Ahiahichi

Aiaichi

Ayiches

Tamisa

Tanik-wa

Tonica

Matoua

Matora

Ototchassi

Atotchasi

Southerns

Monsouperea

Monsoupelea

Wabouquigou
Kakinouba

Wabous-quigou
Kakinonba

Wabash
? Kanawha

The following names are on Marquette alone:

Pahoutet

Maha

Omaha

Pana

Otontanta

Anthoutanta (Le

Clercq)

Akoroa

Koroa

Papikaha

? Quapaw

Apistonga

Maroa

Tamaroa

The following are on Thevenot alone:
Kithigami, Minonk, Aganahali, Wabunghiharea, Taharea.

It will be observed that on the real map the part of Michigan then
unexplored, is dotted only, and that the Mississippi descends only to
Akansea, the limit of his discovery.

Obadiah Rich republished the Marquette portion
of Thevenot s Recueil, in an edition of 125 copies.
It was printed at Paris. Imprimerie de Maulde et
Renou, . . . 1845. Rich made up a title-page, in
antique form, as follows: "Voyage | et | D6cou-
verte | de | quelques Pays et Nations | de | 1 Am<-

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX 297

rique Septentrionale | par | le P. Marquette et Sr.
Joliet. | [Cut] | A Paris, Chez Estienne Michallet
rue S. Jacques a 1 Image S. Paul. | M. DC. LXXXI.
Avec privilege du Roy."

A rather free and defective English version of
Thevenot s text was printed in the " Continuation
of the English translation of Hennepin s America
(London, 1698), and of this rendering there are sev
eral editions. A better English translation from
the same source is given in part ii. of French s
Historical Collections of Louisiana (Phila., 1850), pp.
279, ff. ; and an abstract in the Historical Magazine
(Aug., 1861), vol. v., pp. 237-239.

Pieter vander Aa published a Dutch translation
of Thevenot s abridgment, in his folio and octavo
collections of voyages, as follows: (i) Folio edition
De Aanmerkens-waardige Voyagien (Leyden, 1706-
1727). Marquette is included among the pieces of
vol. ii. of the miscellaneous narratives, and its sepa
rate title begins thus : Ontdekking | Van | eenige |
Landen en Volkeren, | In t Noorden-gedeelte (Van |
America, | Door den Vader | Marquette, Soc. Jefu,
en d H r . Joliet; | [etc.]." (2) Octavo edition
Naaukeurige Versameting (Leyden, 1707). The special
title-page of the Marquette portion is, practically,
like that in the folio volume, and forms part of vol.
28 of this octavo collection.

The manuscripts at St. Mary s College were pub
lished for the first time by Shea, in the following
work: " Discovery and Exploration | of the | Missis
sippi Valley : | with | the Original Narratives of Mar
quette, | Allouez, Membre", Hennepin, and | Anastase
Douay. | By | John Gilmary Shea. | With a facsimile
of the newly-discovered Map of Marquette. | [Cut] \

298 LES RELATIONS DES JESUITES

Redfield, J Clinton Hall, New York. | 1852." The
volume gives Marquette in an English translation,
the French text being printed on pp. 231, ff. It
had first been issued as part iv. of Benjamin F.
French s Historical Collections of Louisiana; but the
author s edition, as above, appeared simultaneously.
They were both printed from the same stereotype
plates ; the only difference being a series title-page
for the former, in addition to the specific title of the
work.

Early in 1855, a small private edition of the Rtcit
and Journal, from the Montreal MSS. but mate
rially changed and generally modernized in orthog
raphy, was printed for James Lenox, as follows:
* Recit | des Voyages | et des Descouvertes | du | R.
Pere Jacques Marquette | de la Compagnie de Jesus,
en | 1 annee 1673 et aux fuivantes; | La Continuation
de fes Voyages | Par le R. P. Claude Alloiiez, | et J
Le Journal Autographe du | P. Marquette en 1674
.& 1675. | Avec la Carte de fon Voyage trace"e de fa
main. | [Cut] \ Imprime d apres le Manufcrit Origi
nal | reftant au College S te Marie | a Montreal."

Collation: Title, with " Imprimerie de Weed, Par
sons & Cie. Albanie N. Y. 1855 on the verso, i
leaf; " Avant-propos, " pp. (2); "Table," pp. (5);
blank, p. (i); " Re"cit," pp. 1-144; " Journal," pp.
145-169; endorsement on verso of p. 169; Lenox
coat-of-arms, with verso blank, i leaf. Facsimiles
of Marquette s map and a specimen of the " Journal."

The Lenox Library s copy has been bound up with
six other title-pages, all variations, being canceled
proofs made in connection with the preparation of
the book. There is, similarly, an extra Avant-
propos," and also a canceled title for the " Journal."

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX 299

Claude Dablon s Relation of 1673-79, as published
by Shea in his Cramoisy Series (Albany: J. Munsell,
1860), includes Marquette s narrative. It is, how
ever, a less acceptable text than the one we give.
That edition is also minus the Journal, and the intro
duction of the map is wholly arbitrary, as will be
seen from Shea s letter to Lenox, in bibliography of
our Doc. CXXXIX.

This map and the "Voyages et Decouvertes "
were again presented in the Mission du Canada.
Relations incites de la Nouvelle-France (Paris : Charles
Douniol, 1861), t. ii., pp. 239, ff. Martin introduced
a page (p. 273) of Indian music which does not
belong to the St. Mary s manuscript, but was taken
from a manuscript conserved " chez les J6suites, a
Paris." This we have relegated to Note 29, p. 311,
of the present volume.

In James A. Van Fleet s Old and New Mackinac,
copious extracts are given from the Marquette narra
tive. Van Fleet s work has passed through at least
three editions 1870, 1874, and 1880.

See also: Margry s Mtmoires et Documents, t. i.
(Paris, 1876), pp. 259, ff. ; and Rochemonteix s
J/suites, t. iii., pp. 9, 10, 20, 21.

CXXXIX

In publishing Dablon s Etat present des Missions (or
Relation) for 1675, in this and the succeeding volume,
we have recourse for the greater part thereof to
Douniol s Relations intdites, t. ii., pp. 17-95. We
omit therefrom, however, pp. 21-33, as being a
duplication of our Doc. CXXXVIII. ; and substitute
for it an extract from Dablon s MS. Relation of
1 673 -79, mentioned below, which includes Allouez s

300 LES RE LA TIONS DES JESUITES

work in the missions of St. Marc and St. Jacques in
1674-75. We also substitute for most of pp. 59-64
of Douniol another extract from the Dablon MS., as
being a fuller description of Laval s visit to La Prai
rie. The typographical methods of representing
these changes are explained in the introductory half-
title of this document. The MS. of 1673-79 was
written by Vincent Bigot, a few minor corrections
being made by Dablon ; words or letters deleted by
the latter are, in our presentation, printed within
brackets.

Dablon s Relation of 1673-79 * s a composite, giving
in sections the history of the New France missions
for the years indicated. But some of the ground
which it covers is given in better or more extended
form in other manuscripts ; in such cases we have
thought it best to print them, and omit the duplica
tions of Dablon. In printing the remaining portions
of Dablon, we have considered it expedient to dissect
his Relation, as follows : Most of the report from Ste.
Marie du Sault is substituted for the Douniol text in
Vol. LVIII. The account of some " marvels " there
wrought is a duplicate of the same chapter in Rela
tion of 1672-73 (Vol. LVII.). Nouvel s journal of
1676 is also duplicated from the Relation of 1676-77
(Vol. LX.). The account of the St. Jacques and St.
Marc missions appears in Relation of 1675 (VoL
LIX.); Marquette s second voyage is related in the
same volume. Allouez s voyage is told in Vol. LX.,
where also Cr^pieul s journal and Morain s letter are
duplicated (Relation of 1676-77). Part of the report
of the La Prairie and St. Frangois Xavier du Sault
mission appears in Vol. LIX. ; the last two sections
are omitted in our series, as lacking in historic

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX 301

value; for the same reason we omit most of the
report from Lorette. The first section of this Lorette
report is omitted, as being rendered unnecessary by
the fuller account given by Bouvart in Doc. CXL.
(Vol. LX.); and a few pages at the end of section 4
are substituted for the Douniol text in Relation of
1675 (Vol. LIX.). What remains of the Relation of
^73 -79 constitutes a report for the last-named year,
and as such will appear in Vol. LXI.

The original MS. is preserved in the archives of
St. Mary s College, at Montreal. It was the work of
Vincent Bigot; but Dablon retouched it in places,
and made some changes, in his own handwriting.
This MS. was one of those which the last survivor
of the New France Jesuits, Father Casot, placed in
the custody of the nuns of the Hotel-Dieu, at Que
bec, and which were returned to the order upon its
reestablishment in Canada, in 1843.* The MS. con
sists of 147 pp., small 4to. Unfortunately, a sheet
of nine pages, pp. 1 10 - 1 18, is lacking. It comprises
the first section of chap. vi. (minus the title), the
entire second section, and a part of the third. Da
blon wrote the following abridged title on the verso
of the last " cahier: " Relation de 1679, abre*g6
des pre ce dentes. "

This manuscript was first edited for publication by
Father Felix Martin for Shea s " Cramoisy series."
According to the Lenox Library s catalogue of that
series, it forms no. 12 ; but Mr. Lenox, who privately
owned several copies, called it no. 14. The title of
this printed edition follows: " Relation | de ce qui
s est passe* | de plus Remarquable | aux Missions des
Peres | de la Compagnie de Jesus | en la j Nouvelle

* See Vol. XXVIII. of our series, pp. 305, 306.

302 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

France | les anne"es 1673 a 1679 | Par le R. P. Claude
Dablon Recteur | du College de Quebec & Supe-
rieur | des Millions de la Compagnie de | Jesus
en la Nouvelle France. | [Cut] \ A la Nouvelle
York, | De la Preffe Cramoify de Jean-Marie Shea. |
M. DCCC. LX. | Avec Permiffion."

The above title is not, of course, a part of the
manuscript, but was made up by either Martin or
Shea, adopting the fixed form of the old Cramoisy
annuals. The table of contents is likewise con
structed.

Collation: Title, i leaf; " Epistre " to the Provin
cial, Michel Fessard, pp. (6); " Table," pp. ix.-xiii. \
text, pp. i -290; colophon, with verso blank, i leaf.
A facsimile of Marquette s map. The colophon
reads: " Acheve" d imprimer a [sic] Albany, ce 22
Julliet [sic], 1860, par J. Munfell."

Something concerning the plan of publication may
be gleaned from the following extract of a letter
written by Shea to Lenox, and dated " New York
12 Sept. 1860." Rewrites:

I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your note in hopes of
being able to send the small paper copies. You will find them large
however. I wished to make them of the size of your Relations of
1655, 59, 76 and Marquette, but had to take a larger sheet and leave
each to cut away as he chose.

This Relation 1673 - 9 embraces some of the matter in the Marquette
from a different manuscript, but does not contain Marquette s
journal. The map is added merely because Father Martin had it,
having himself drawn it on copper from the original map. It has a
kind of antiquated air that is not amiss.

It would thus appear that the " Tir6 a 100 exem-
plaires," printed on the verso of the regular title-
page, refers to the whole Shea edition. The fact
that so many apparently large paper copies are in
evidence seems to be now explained ; the small copies

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. LIX 303

have simply been cut down to that size. The Lenox
Library has two of the large copies one of them
printed on ordinary book-paper, like that library s
smaller one, and the other printed on fine writing-
paper. On the verso of the latter s title-page, Shea
wrote as follows: " Des 5 de ce formet No. 2 J. G.
Shea." This copy has another peculiarity. It con
tains everything noted in the above collation, and
also another title-page with this imprint : Quebec,
| A la Preffe Cramoify. | M. DCCC. LX. | Avec
Permimon. | Le droit de traduction eft referve."
The same introductory " Epistre " is repeated, but
is called " Avant-propos. " On the verso of the Que
bec title, instead of the usual statement of number
of copies printed, this takes its place : Regiftre
fuivant 1 Acte de la Legiflature Provinciale, en | Fan
nie mil huit cent foixante par le R. P. F. Martin
au | Bureau du Regiftrateur de la Province du
Canada." Both the "Epistre" and " Avant-pro
pos " are dated: "Montreal, 20 Julliet [sic], 1859,"
and have Father Martin s initials, " F. M."

NOTES TO VOL LIX

( Figures in parentheses, following number of note, refer to pages

of English text.)

1 (p. 27). These islets are in the St. Lawrence, a little west of
the mouth of Betsiamites River, nearly 200 miles below Quebec.
They were probably named for Noel Jeremie, sieur de la Montagne ;
he was a native of Champagne, born in 1629, and married at Quebec
(1659) Jeanne Peltier, by whom he had eleven children; the date of
his death is not recorded, but was subsequent to 1686. The census
of 1666 locates him at Quebec; that of 1668, at C6te de St. Ignace.

In later years, Andr6 had charge of the mission at these Islands
(vol. Ivii., note n).

2 (p. 27). Chegoutimi: a variant of Chicoutimi, concerning which
see vol. i., note 50. At the entrance of this river into the Saguenay
was early established a French trading post, which afforded oppor
tunity for the missionaries to gain access to many savages from
the northern tribes. At Chicoutimi the Jesuits had a little chapel
(apparently not built until after 1661), which was burned a few years
later. About 1670, a new chapel was erected in its stead, by
Frangois Hazeur, a wealthy merchant of Montreal. The Jesuit mis
sion was maintained at Chicoutimi until 1782, when its last priest, La
Brosse, died there. See historical sketch (probably by Ferland) of
this mission in Missions du diocese du Quebec, April, 1866, pp.
23-55-

3 (p. 29). The earthquake of 1663 is fully described in vol.
xlviii., pp. 41-57, 183-223.

4 (p. 29). A river thus named because it served as a highway
for the Papinachois tribe in going to Chicoutimi for trade. It is
now known as Riviere des Terres Rompues ("river of broken
lands "), or Shipshaw River.

5 (p. 43). Martin says (Douniol ed., t. i., p. 332) that this river is
named by Father Laure (missionary in the Saguenay region from 1720
to 1 738), Mouchaouraganich. It cannot be satisfactorily identified.

In the archives of the Depot de la Marine, at Paris, are three auto
graph maps by Laure, dated 1731, 1732, and 1733, respectively. A

306 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

facsimile of the last-named is given by Rochemonteix (Jdsuttes, t.
iii., end of vol.); cf. his note on p. 433.

6 (p. 51). The bay of Seven Islands, about 300 miles below
Quebec, is a large, almost landlocked harbor, one of the best on the
N. shore of the St. Lawrence. " It has always been a great resort of
the Montagnais Indians, and is connected by a broad and deep valley
with Lake St. John, 300 miles to the southwest, through which an
Indian road formerly ran." Lovell s Gazetteer,

Bellin s large map of the St. Lawrence (1761) contains two auxiliary
charts of this bay: one drawn by [Pierre?] Deshayes in 1686; the
other copied from an English map of 1 760.

7 (p. 51). For sketch of Nicolas, see vol. xlviii., note 14.

8 (p. 61). This was probably a son of Eustache Lambert (vol.
xxxvi., note 34). See J. E. Roy s interesting account of Lambert
and his family, in Seigneurie de Lauzon (LeVis, 1897), t. i., pp.
254-263.

9 (p. 65). "This letter may seem to some readers only a con
tinual panegyric upon the missionaries of New France. But it
should be observed that this document was not intended for publicity ;
and that it was a confidential communication from a superior who,
according to the dictates of his conscience, rendered to his higher
superior an account of the religious who were under his direction.
It should also be known that efforts had been made to traduce the
apostolic men not only to the ministers of Louis XIV., but even
to their own provincial, and to Father Ferrier, the king s confessor.
Father Dablon, then, discharged one of the duties of his office in
establishing the truth." Martin s note in Douniol ed., t. ii., p. 4.

10 (p. 69). Reference is here made to the blueberry (vol. xvi.,
note 13).

11 (p. 69). Antoine Silvy was born Oct. 16, 1638, at Aix-en-Pro-
vence. At the age of twenty he entered the Jesuit novitiate, at Aix ;
his studies were pursued there, and at Vienne, Dole, and Lyons,
successively. He spent the customary term as instructor at Gre
noble, Embrun, and Bourg-en-Bresse. In 1673 he came to Canada,
and in the following year was sent to the Ottawa missions, where he
spent four years during the last two, aiding Allouez in Wisconsin.
In 1678, he was ordered toTadoussac, whence he went, a year later,
to found a mission on the shores of Hudson Bay. In 1686, Iberville,
son of Charles le Moyne (vol. xxvii., note 10), conducted an expe
dition of Canadians against the English posts at Hudson Bay, most
of which he captured; in this enterprise he was greatly aided by
Silvy s information and advice. The priest remained there, combin
ing with his missionary labors service as chaplain to the French

NOTES TO VOL. LIX 307

garrison at Fort Ste. Anne; these duties he fulfilled until 1693, aided
during the last year and a half by Dalmas (vol. Iviii., note 18). In
that year Silvy returned to Quebec, where he spent the rest of his
life ; he lived at the college of Quebec, acting for a time as teacher
of mathematics, then for ten years as minister. He died there in
1711 (probably Oct. 12).

12 (p. 73). Acadia was at this time a field that had been aban
doned by the Catholic religious orders since 1655, when the Capu
chin mission was expelled (vol. xxx., note 22).

13 (p. 75). It will be remembered that Massachusetts had passed
an act (1647) expelling Jesuits from its territory (vol. xxxvi., note
n). At the time of Pierron s visit to the English colonies, the
governor of Maryland was Charles Calvert, son of Cecil, the second
Lord Baltimore (vol. v., note n). The Jesuits in Maryland had been
driven out in Clayborne s rebellion (1644-45); afterward returning
to their post, their mission was again broken up in 1655. The few
who remained after this dwelt in the English colonies only in con
cealment or on sufferance ; and the triumph of Protestantism in
England prevented the renewal of Catholic missions in the colonies.

14 (p. 75). "The Asststancies are the grand divisions of the
Society of Jesus. Each Assistancy has a representative at Rome
who is called assistant. Five Assistancies are reckoned: the Assist
ancy of Italy, and those of Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany.
England forms a part of the Assistancy of Germany." Martin s
note in Douniol ed., t. ii., p. 10.

15 (p. 89). "The gulf of California was called by the Spaniards
Mar de Cortes, or more commonly Mar Bermejo, from its resem
blance in shape and color to the Red Sea. ... In ignorance of
this fact, the French translated Bermejo by Vermeille, and English
writers Vermillion. " " Theguaio, or commonly Tiguex, and some
times apparently Tejas, and Quivira . . . [which] lay east of the
country north of the river Gila, and are probably the present New
Mexico and Texas, were first made known by the attempt of a
Franciscan missionary [Fray Marc, in 1539] to reach the rich countries
of the interior." Shea s notes, Disc, of Miss, Valley, p. 4.

Winship, in his admirable monograph on Coronado s expedition
(U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1892-93), locates Quivira (following
Bandelier) in N. E. Kansas, beyond Arkansas River, and more than
100 miles N. E. of Great Bend; and the village of Tiguex at or near
the present town of Bernalillo, N. Mex. (ut supra, pp. 391, 394-399)-

The wording of this passage would indicate Joliet as the official
leader of the expedition ; but the authorities doubtless regarded Mar-
quette as a valuable assistant to the enterprise, on account of his

308 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

knowledge of the Indian tongues and the savage character, as well
as of the information regarding the great river which he had
acquired while connected with the Ottawa missions.

16 (p. 93). The name of La Conception appears also on Mar
que tte s map, herewith presented; but he is apparently the only
explorer or writer who thus named the Mississippi. Shea remarks,
in a note upon this passage of our text {Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 8) :
"The name of Immaculate Conception, which he gave to the mission
among the Kaskaskias, was retained as long as that mission lasted,
and is now the title of the church in the present town of Kaskaskia."

17 (p. 99). Cf. Andre s account of these tides (vol. Ivi., pp. 137-
139; vol. Ivii., pp. 301-305); see also vol. xxxviii., note 19.

18 (p. 101). The description here given is insufficient for the
identification of the plant. Various plants have been regarded as
specifics for the bites of venomous serpents, especially Aristolochia
serpent aria and Poly gala Senega; but their virtues have apparently
been somewhat exaggerated. Regarding the plants above named,
see Charlevoix s Plantes Amer. Sept., pp. 35, 36; hisfourn. Hist.,
p. 159; Rafinesque s Medical Flora, vol. i. , pp. 60-65, and ii., pp.
63-65; and Pickering s Chron. Hist, of Plants, pp. 748, 768.

19 (p. 103). W. J. Hoffman thus explains ( U. S. Bur. Ethnol.
Rep., 1885-86, p. 155) the character of the cross erected by the
savages: "Marquette was without doubt ignorant of the fact that
the cross is the sacred post, and the symbol of the fourth degree of
the Mide wiwin, as will be fully explained in connection with that
grade of the society. [Marquette s conclusion] was a natural one,
but this same symbol of the Mide Society had probably been erected
and bedecked with barbaric emblems and weapons months before
anything was known of him."

The Mide wi win is the society of the Mide or Shamans, popu
larly designated as the Grand Medicine Society; " it is found in
many Algonkin tribes. Its ritual, and "the traditions of Indian
genesis and cosmogony, . . . constitute what is to them a re
ligion, even more powerful and impressive than the Christian
religion is to the average civilized man." See Hoffman, ut supra,
pp. 155, 256, and plate xv. (facing p. 240), in which are depicted the
sacred posts above referred to. Cf . vol. xxx. , p. 23, where a
similar society is mentioned by Ragueneau as existing among the
Hurons ; and note i to same volume.

20 (p. 107). Reference is here made to the Fox- Wisconsin portage
(vol. Iviii., note 7). The name "Meskousing" is but one of
numerous variants of "Wisconsin."

21 (p. 109). "This was probably the cat fish of the Mississippi

NOTES TO VOL. LIX 309

(Silurus Mississippiensis). They sometimes grow enormously large,
and strike with great force any object that comes in their way."
B. F. French s note, Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 17.

22 (p. in). The "monster" was " probably an American tiger-
cat, the pichou du sud of Kalm. They differ from those of Africa
and South America, because they have no spots." The fish was
"the polyodon spatula of Linn. It is now very rare, and but
seldom found in the Mississippi. It is also called by the French /<?
spatule " (French, ut supra, p. 18).

23 (p. 115). "These villages are laid down on the map on the
westerly side of the Mississippi, and the names of two are given,
Peouarea and Moingwena, whence it is generally supposed that the
river on which they lay, is that now called the Desmoines. The
upper part of that river still bears the name Moingonan, while
the latitude of the mouth seems to establish the identity. It must,
however, be admitted that the latitude given at that day differs
from ours generally from 30 to a degree, as we see in the case of
the Wisconsin and the Ohio. This would throw Moingwena some
what higher up." Shea, ut supra, p. 20.

24 (p. 125). Nearly all the aboriginal tribes assumed for them
selves names of similar meaning, in much the same boastful spirit
as the Greeks applied the term "barbarian" to all peoples outside
of Greece.

25 (p. 127). Captives taken in war were generally treated as
slaves, among all aboriginal nations. The transition from this
method of securing slaves to that of raids upon weaker tribes was,
of course, an easy one ; and not only the Illinois, but the Iroquois
and other powerful nations, seem to have been habitual stealers and
sellers of men. See Carr s Mounds of Miss. Valley, pp. 30 -33^
where are cited many references to early writers, regarding this
subject.

A note in U. S. Cath. Hist. Mag. , vol. xi v. , p. 140, cites the find
ing by the Jesuit Grelon (vol. xxx., note 26), in Chinese Tartary, of
"a Huron woman whom he had known in America. She had been
sold as a slave from tribe to tribe until she reached that place."

26 (p. 129). The custom here described appears to have been prev
alent among the Southern and Western tribes, and is mentioned by
many travelers and writers, even down to comparatively recent times.
See Membr6 s narrative in Shea s Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 151;
La.&tau s Mceurs des Sauvages, t. i., pp. 52-53; Charlevoix syiwr^.
Hist., p. 303; Long s Expedition, vol. i., p. 129; Parkman sZa Salle,
p. 207 ; Carr s Mounds of Miss. Valley, p. 33 ; and Coues s Henry and
Thompson Journals (N. Y., 1897), vol. i., pp. 53, 163-165. Char-

310 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

levoix and Long, among others, suppose that the assumption of
feminine garb and occupations by men proceeded from a superstition
or a dream, or was the observance of some religious rite; some
other writers assert that these men were set aside for infamous pur
poses a statement apparently verified by much evidence, especially
as this class of men were held in the utmost contempt, even among
the savages. They were called by the French bardache (a word
originally from Arabic bardaj, "slave"), or berdache; the English
corruption of this word, "berdash " (a word used, in various forms,
as early as 1548), is everywhere in use in the West and North, to
designate the men referred to.

Catlin (N. Amer. Inds., vol. ii., pp. 214, 215) describes the
annual "dance to the Berdashe," as seen among the Indians whom
he visited on the Upper Mississippi, and has a sketch (plate 296)
illustrating it. He says of the "berdashe:" "For extraordinary
privileges which he is known to possess, he is driven to the most
servile and degrading duties, which he is not allowed to escape;
and he being the only one of the tribe submitting to this disgraceful
degradation, is looked upon as medicine and sacred, and a feast is
given to him annually. . . . This is one of the most unaccount
able and disgusting customs, that I have ever met in the Indian
country, and so far as I have been able to learn, belongs only to
the Sioux and Sacs and Foxes."

27 (p. 131). In the MS. at St. Mary s College, which we follow,
two leaves are here lacking a lacuna supplied from Thevenot s
Recueil (see Bibliographical Data for this volume).

The red stone of which the calumet was made has been, from an
early period, obtained by the Indians from the celebrated "Pipe-
stone Quarry, in Pipestone county, in the southwestern corner of
Minnesota. This place was first described by George Catlin, who
visited it in 1836; see his interesting account of the quarry and the
surrounding region (with sketch of locality), in his N. Amer. Inds.,
vol. ii., pp. 160, 164-177, 201-206. The stone was named in honor
of him, "catlinite;" it is a red quartzite, regarded by Winchell as
the equivalent of the New York Potsdam sandstone. See the latter s
account of the stone and quarry, in Minn. Geol. Survey Rep., 1877,
pp. 97-109.

28 (p. 135). This sentence is transposed by Martin (in the Douniol
edition, and by a marginal correction on the original MS.) to take
the place of Chacun.

29 (p. 137). Martin, in Douniol edition (t. ii., p. 273), gives the
entire chant (of which but one sentence is found in the Montreal
MS.), with both words and musical notation. He gives as his

NOTES TO VOL. LIX 311

authority "a manuscript preserved by the Jesuits, at Paris, in which
appear the notation of the song in the calumet dance, and the begin
ning of the seventh section." The song is as follows:

Hl-u hn-nl, nt-nalu-u, m-iutu-ai, n-ni

jfrf? JJ j-jjjj J J^=7g

ft) f f f I d__*z^ it f J. 4 , rt r
o-lo. Hl-uh** U, ni-uaba-nl, ol-u U-oi,

1

bo-bo, ol-M b - nl, ni-M to ol, ol-oa 4i- (U.

r rrc

Ca-oua- ban-no- goe t-chU-ch co-goe ,jue j -co*

J TT J 1 >i 3 J J J J-^=ll

ba- oo-gue *t- chii-cb #cfca-go te be be he.

^ i> i J< i u i

Miocta-go mi a-^e pi- oi pi - oi bo

Uod, mic-tui- de pi oj fitn be.

Cf . illustrated description of calumet dance, as practiced among
the Omaha Indians, given in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1881-82,
pp. 276-282.

30 (p. 137). This is the heading of section 7 given in the Lenox
edition a made-up title, however, as the Thevenot text is not
divided into sections, but continues throughout without a break.
Martin made another heading, given in the Douniol edition (and
also in his copy from the Thevenot text, with which he supplied the
gap in the Montreal MS.), which reads as follows, in translation:
4 Continuation of the voyage : various rarities encountered along the
route ; of the Pekitanoui river, by which one can proceed to Cali
fornia. Shea omits any section division at this point, and in his
translation numbers the succeeding sections vii., viii., and ix.,
respectively.

31 (p. 139). Here ends the lacuna supplied from the Thevenot
text.

Pekitanoui; the Missouri River. "The name here given by Mar-
quette, [meaning] muddy water, prevailed till Marest s time
(1712). A branch of Rock river is still called Pekatonica. The
Recollects called the Missouri, the river of the Ozages." Shea s
note in Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 38.

32 (p. 139). French, ut supra, p. 38, thus identifies these plants

312 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

and fruits: "Probably Cactus opuntia, several species of which
grow in the western states ; Diospyros virginiana, or persimmon-tree ;
Castanea pumila, or chincapin.

33 (p. 141). Parkman says (La Salle, p. 59, note i): "The rock
where these figures were painted is immediately above the city of
Alton [111.]. The tradition of their existence remains, although they
are entirely effaced by time. In 1867, when I passed the place, a
part of the rock had been quarried away." But Amos Stoddard
observes, in Sketches of Louisiana (Phila., 1812), p. 17: "What
they [Joliet and Marquette] call Painted Monsters on the side of
a high perpendicular rock, apparently inaccessible to man, between
the Missouri and Illinois, and known to the moderns by the name
of Piesa, still remain in a good state of preservation." Parkman
mentions (ut supra) a map made for the intendant Duchesneau,
soon after Marquette s voyage, "which is decorated with the
portrait of one" of the monsters, " answering to Marquette s descrip
tion, and probably copied from his drawing.

34 (p. 143). This supposition of Marquette s has been confirmed
by later explorations, which show that the headwaters of the Platte,
tributary to the Missouri, closely approach those of the Colorado,
which falls into the Gulf of California.

35 (p. 145). Ouaboukigou (Ouabouskigou, on the maps of both
Joliet and Marquette) : corrupted by the French into Ouabache, and
Anglicized as Wabash. By early writers and map-makers the name
was applied to both the present Wabash river and the Ohio below
their junction; it was also called by the French Riviere de St.
J6r6me. By 1746, we see on D Anville s map of that date "Ohohio,
ou la Belle Riv.," applied to the entire course of the Ohio, and
"Ouabache" to the Wabash, as now known; and Winsor cites
(Mississippi Basin, p. 17) James Logan, of Pennsylvania, as making
that discrimination as early as 1718.

36 (p. 145). Chaouanons: the Algonkin name, meaning "people
of the South, for the tribe now known as Shawnees (a corruption
of the above word) ; also called Ontouagannha ; see vol. xlvii. , note 9.
Shea, in his note (Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 41) on this passage of
our text, argues that this tribe is that of the Eries after their disper
sion by the Iroquois. Cf. observation on the Attiwendaronk in vol.
xviii., note 19; also vol. viii., note 34, and vol. xxi., note n.

37 (p. 149). "The missionary gives no name to this tribe or party,
but from their dress and language, apparently of the Huron-Iroquois
family, they may have been a Tuscarora party, and referred to the
Spaniards of Florida with whom they traded in trinkets for skins.
Shea s note in Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 44.

NOTES TO VOL. LIX 313

Marquette had now reached the country of the warlike Chicachas
[Chickasaws], whose territory extended several hundred miles along
the banks of the Mississippi, and far to the eastward, where they
carried on a traffic with tribes who traded with Europeans."
French s note, ut supra, p. 43.

38 (p. 151). The Mitchigameas were located about the mouth of
the St. Francis River in Arkansas. As for the latitude given to this
place by Marquette, it varies somewhat, as might reasonably be
expected, from that of modern surveys.

39 (p. 153). "It is probable that Akamsea was not far from the
Indian village of Guachoya, where De Soto breathed his last, one
hundred and thirty years before ; and Mitchigamea, the village of
Aminoya, where Alvarado de Moscoso built his fleet of brigantines
to return to Mexico " (1543). French s note, ut supra, p. 46.

Later (1886), Shea locates Guachoya, following De 1 Isle s map of
1707, at the mouth of the Red River; see his paper on "Ancient
Florida," in Winsor s N. &= C. Hist., vol. ii., pp. 253, 294.

40 (p. 157). Regarding the pottery manufactured by the tribes
of this region, see Holmes s "Ancient Pottery of the Mississippi
Valley," in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1882-83, pp. 360-436; it con
tains numerous illustrations of specimens obtained from mounds and
other sources in the Central States. See also Butler s "Prehistoric
Pottery Middle Mississippi Valley," and Seever s "Prehistoric
Remains in St. Francis Valley," both papers describing and illus
trating the pottery collection in the museum of the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin, in Proceedings of that Society for 1893, pp.
70-78. Cf. Thomas Wilson s "Prehistoric Art," in U. S. Natl.
Mus. Rep., 1896, pp. 475-480. It is probable that the earthen jars
and vessels used by the Arkansas tribes at the time of Marquette s
visit did not essentially differ, in form, process of manufacture, or
use, from the specimens now on our museum shelves, obtained from
mounds. Holmes says (ut supra, p. 371): "There can be no rea
sonable doubt that the manufacture of this ware began many centu
ries before the advent of the white race, but it is equally certain that
the art was extensively practiced until quite recent times. The early
explorers of Louisiana saw it in use, and the processes of manufac
ture are described by Dumont and others." And Hoffman (U. S.
Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1892-93, p. 257) says: " Earthenware is no
longer made by the Menomini, though some of the oldest women
remember when pottery-making was engaged in."

41 (p. 161). Reference is here made to the Illinois river; from its
upper waters, the traveler obtained access to Lake Michigan by
several portages. That between its northern fork (the Des Plaines

314 LES RELA TIONS DES JES UITES

River) and the Chicago River was, owing to the southward current
along the west shore of Lake Michigan, the usual route on the
outward voyage from Mackinac and other northern points. The
Des Plaines might also be reached by a similar portage to the Calu
met River, which falls into Lake Michigan at the present South
Chicago. On early maps the Chicago and Calumet rivers are some
times confounded with each other. On the return trip, the voyager
could reach the great lake not only by these routes, but by a third
via the Kankakee (the southern fork of the Illinois) and a portage
(at the present South Bend, Ind.) to St. Joseph River, at the S. E.
corner of Lake Michigan. This was often used when returning to
Mackinac, as the lake current runs northward along the east shore.
See Winsor s Mississippi Basin, pp. 24-26.

The Chicago-Des Plaines route involved a " carry" of from four
to nine miles, according to the season of the year ; in a rainy spring
season, it might not be over a mile ; and during a freshet, a canoe
might be paddled over the entire route, without any portage. A
canal between these rivers was opened in 1848, which gave a strong
impetus to Chicago s early growth; and the government drainage
canal, now (December, 1899) nearing completion, follows the same
route, from Chicago to Joliet, a distance of 36 miles southwest to the
Des Plaines River a waterway 14 feet deep, and 100 feet wide,
which will not only insure proper drainage to Chicago, but greatly
facilitate her commerce.

42 (p. 163). These villages of the partly nomadic Illinois savages
were not situated at the places afterward known by their names.
The Kaskaskia village is placed by Shea (Disc, of Miss. Valley, p.
74, note) " near Rockport " (by which he apparently means the so-
called " Starved Rock," on which La Salle built Fort St. Louis) ; and
Parkman locates it (La Salle, pp. 65, 156) " about seven miles below
the site of the present town of Ottawa [111.]-"

43 (p. 167). The portage by which Marquette crossed to Lake
Michigan was that between Sturgeon Bay (in Door county, Wis.)
and the lake. A ship-canal connecting these waters was opened July
4, 1879; it is 7,400 feet long, and saves 150 miles of navigation
between the city of Green Bay and lower Lake Michigan ports.
It is now owned by the U. S. government.

44 (p. 175). LaToupine (Taupine) was the surname of a noted
French fur trader, Pierre Moreau (Pierre Pere Moreau, according to
Suite Canad.-Frangais, t. v., p. 16); he was born in 1639, near
Xaintes, France. In 1671, he was with St. Lusson at Sault Ste.
Marie (vol. lv., pp. 105-115); and his name appears in the proces-
verbal drawn up on that occasion (published in Margry s Dtcouv.

NOTES TO VOL. LIX 315

Franfaz s, pp. 96-99, and Wis. Hist. Colls, vol. xi., pp. 26-29), as
" a soldier in the garrison of the castle of Quebec." In 1677, he
married at Quebec Marie Lemire, by whom he had thirteen children.
La Toupine was one of Frontenac s adherents; it was charged that
he, with other coureurs de bois, was shielded in illicit trading by the
governor s influence. In 1681, he was living in the " upper town " of
Quebec, where he died in August, 1727.

45 (p. 195). For location of this place, see vol. 1., note 13. Cf.
Shea s note, in Disc, of Miss. Valley, p. 59.

46 (p. 201). This date is incorrect, as May 19 fell on Sunday in
1675. Marquette s death occurred on Saturday; the date should
therefore be May 18. A. E. JONES, S.J.

A letter (dated Oct. 10, 1675) by the Jesuit Cholenec, published in
Rochemonteix s Jesuites (t. iii., pp. 606-612), explicitly states that
Marquette died " on Saturday, May 18, between eleven o clock and
midnight. Cholenec adds that the donnes who accompanied the
Father had come down to Quebec that summer ; that he had obtained
from them full particulars of Marquette s last voyage ; and that the
latter had occupied himself, while wintering at the Chicago portage,
in writing memoirs of his voyages.

47 (p. 221). We here insert letters by Allouez, giving an account
of his work for the years 1674-75. The first letter is made in Dou-
niol (t. ii., pp. 217-219) part of the Relation of 1673-74; but that
text is modernized. We follow a text in Martin s handwriting
(probably copied from a Roman MS.), appended to the Montreal
MS. of the Relation of 1673-79. The second letter is taken from
that Relation; it is erroneously placed with the other letter (ut
supra), in Douniol.

48 (p. 235). The account of Marquette s death here given, in
Douniol, has already been presented by us in doc. cxxxviii., ante.

49 (p. 253). Jean Baptiste Boucher, born at Soissons Feb. 6, 1641,
became a Jesuit novice at Nancy, Oct. 2, 1663. He was an instructor
at Dijon and Chalons during 1665-69; and then, for five years more,
pursued his studies at Ensisheim and Pont-a-Mousson. In 1674, he
came to Canada, where he was soon employed in the Tadoussac mis
sion ; he remained there four years, aiding Crepieul, and then spent
a winter with the savages at Lake St. John. In Rochemonteix s
phrase (Jdsuites, t. iii., p. 427), " discouragement then seized him,
and he returned to France " (1680).

50 (p. 269). Pierre Cholenec was born in the diocese of Leon, June
30, 1641; and entered the Jesuit novitiate at Paris, Sept. 8, 1659.
He acted as instructor at Moulins and Eu from 1661 to 1670, except
three years spent at La Fleche in the study of philosophy. Four

316 LES RELA TIONS DES JESUITES

years more he passed in the study of theology, at Paris ; and in
August, 1674, he departed for Canada. He was long stationed at
the Indian colony of St. Francis Xavier du Sault, where, in 1680, the
noted Iroquois convert Catherine Tegakwita died. An account of
her life was written by Cholenec, who was her confessor. He was,
in later years, stationed at the Jesuit residence at Montreal, of which
he was, in 1700, superior.

51 (p. 285). The new infeendant, Talon s successor, was Jacques
Duchesneau, chevalier, and sieur de la Doussiniere, who had held an
important government position at Tours, France. He came to
Canada in September, 1675. Almost from the first, Frontenac and
Duchesneau were unfriendly to each other, a feeling which soon
developed into positive hostility. Each made complaints of the
other to the home government, which vainly tried to adjust their
differences and secure harmony in their official relations. Finally,
Louis XIV., losing patience, recalled both of them to France (May
10, 1682).

The seigniory of Sault St. Louis, mentioned in the text as given
by Duchesneau, was granted to the Jesuits May 29, 1680 (vol. xii.,
note n); it adjoined that of La Prairie on the southwest.

52 (p. 287). St. John the Baptist whose feast, as we have
already seen, was annually celebrated by bonfires and other rejoic
ings is regarded by Roman Catholic Canadians as the patron saint
of their country.